2025 in Review

Written by Emily Vlietstra, CD(DONA) | Dec 18, 2025 3:58:32 AM

 

What a year!
2025 brought so many powerful births, tender moments, and awe-striking first breaths here in beautiful Colorado. Inspired by Spotify Wrapped, here’s a look back at the year in numbers: a snapshot of the families I supported as a Longmont, Colorado–based birth doula and the babies who made their entrance.

Every birth is unique. These statistics aren’t benchmarks or goals, just a celebration of the year we shared together.

The Babies


Average birth weight: 7 lb 3 oz
Smallest baby: 5 lb even
Largest baby: 8 lb 13 oz
Most common gestational age at birth: 39 weeks + 2 days
Latest arrival: 41 weeks + 5 days
Earliest arrival: 34 weeks (planned cesarean)
Gender Split: 60% girls, 40% boys
Most common name: Scottie
Rainbow babies welcomed: 10 

From tiny early arrivals to long-awaited overdue babies, each one found their own perfect timing.

The Mamas

Average maternal age: 35
Age range: 29 – 47
First-time parents: 65%
Second+ time parents: 35%
IVF warriors: 30%

Families at every stage of life deserve steady, informed, compassionate birth support. 

The Births


Vaginal births: 78%
Planned cesarean births: 9%
Unplanned cesarean births: 13%*
Spontaneous labor: 60%
VBAC success rate:
100%
Most common birthing day: Wednesday
Birthing Location:

Boulder Community Health - Foothills (Boulder) 35%
AdventHealth Avista (Louisville) 35%
Other hospital 22%
Out of hospital 8%

These outcomes reflect informed decision-making, flexibility, and grounding support, not pressure to birth a certain way.

*Compared to the U.S. national cesarean birth rate of ~32% (CDC data).

The Doula



Maximum hours of continuous labor support provided: 26 hours (lots of coffee!)
Quickest day at the office: 2.5 hours (mama showed up ready to push!)
Most births attended in a month: 6 (September, at 34 weeks pregnant myself)
Speed warnings received: 1 (Yes, the "I'm on my way to a birth!" line worked)
Photos taken: many thousands

This year included the unique honor of supporting families through birth while pregnant myself; an experience that deepened my empathy and presence, and strengthened my respect and reverence for birth.


Looking ahead

Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum in Longmont, Boulder, and surrounding Colorado communities continues to be a privilege. I’m grateful to every family that invited me into such a meaningful chapter of their lives. 

If you’re expecting a 2026 baby and looking for doula support, please reach out!