The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers has announced the winners of their 2017 contest, and the photos they chose show the struggles mothers go through to bring new life into the world, and the sheer joy that follows.

We took your breath away with last year's contest, and these new photos will leave you even more amazed. Each one tells a story of pain, perseverance, and finally, relief. They document a baby's first moments of life, and a family's first moments of unity.

Many of the photos below are intense and graphic, so reader discretion is advised. They are all, however, powerful in their own unique ways.

More info: IAPBB

#1

I've Been Waiting For You

I've Been Waiting For You

Vanessa Mendez Birth Photography Report

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    #2

    Best In Category: Birth Details, Pieces Of Me

    Best In Category: Birth Details, Pieces Of Me

    Kourtnie Scholz Report

    Kayleigh White
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is amazing. But the placenta is grossing me out a bit. Never seen one look like that before

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    #3

    Best In Category: Postpartum, Straight From Heaven

    Best In Category: Postpartum, Straight From Heaven

    Natasha Hance – Birth Unscripted Report

    #4

    That First Gaze

    That First Gaze

    Peanuts and Parents Report

    mother
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Newborn has an eyes of an older soul...

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    #5

    Skin To Skin Today. Heart To Heart Always

    Skin To Skin Today. Heart To Heart Always

    Catherine Brown Birth & Lifestyle Photography Report

    Totally Magical Unicorn
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jesus. What's our society coming to?! That kid's WAY too young to be a parent.

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    #6

    Falling In Love All Over Again

    Falling In Love All Over Again

    KEDocumentary Report

    Peter Lankton
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Any one else worried about how blue that baby is?

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    #7

    Are You My Mama?

    Are You My Mama?

    Jennifer Mason Photography Report

    Sheriann Luckie
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great neck control at just a few minutes old. The neck control comes weeks after birth. Strong baby.

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    #8

    Best In Category: Delivery, With A Splash

    Best In Category: Delivery, With A Splash

    Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography Report

    #9

    Freshly Squeezed

    Freshly Squeezed

    Apple Blossom Families Report

    #10

    First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

    First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

    Jaydene Freund – Cradled Creations Report

    Carolyn Peters
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be shown to your teenager when given a hard time.

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    #11

    Honorable Mentions. Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy

    Honorable Mentions. Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy

    Leilani Rogers, Photographer Report

    Wendy Knop
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to look twice before I saw it, it is really beautiful.

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    #12

    Absorb

    Absorb

    Bailey Nicole Photography Report

    Janice Takashima
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm surprised there are no comments here. I had the strongest emotional reaction to this photo. The image of encircling and comforting arms and hands around the new life with the potential for the same encircling and comfort. This photo tells a great story.

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    #13

    The End: A New Beginning

    The End: A New Beginning

    Caryn Scanlan Photography Report

    #14

    The First Look

    The First Look

    Amber Denae Photography Report

    Richard Nimz
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'OK, she's screaming. Maybe this is how adults communicate. Odd, but I should be polite to my new hosts.'

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    #15

    Honorable Mentions. Approaching Life

    Honorable Mentions. Approaching Life

    Deborah Elenter Report

    #16

    Honorable Mentions. Surprise

    Honorable Mentions. Surprise

    KimBerly E. Photography Report

    #17

    Honorable Mentions. Joyful Finale

    Honorable Mentions. Joyful Finale

    Elise Hurst Photography Report

    #18

    Honorable Mentions. As She Rose From The Depths

    Honorable Mentions. As She Rose From The Depths

    Tree of Life Doula Photography Report

    #19

    Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

    Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

    Sarah Boccolucci Photography Report

    Karen Sipes
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That also happened to my son in law. He had several brain surgeries just to stay alive so he could see his daughter be born. He lived for 3 weeks after she was born.

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    #20

    A Beautiful Transition

    A Beautiful Transition

    Birth Unscripted Report

    #21

    Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

    Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

    Belle Verdiglione Photography Report

    Amanda Mackenzie B.
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a C-SECTION Mama, this made me cry. Due to the partition I wasn't able to see my son come into the world, and I can very much imagine his tiny newborn face on this little one. 😍 so precious!

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    #23

    Becoming Grandmothers

    Becoming Grandmothers

    The Art of Unscripted Report

    #24

    Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

    Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

    Birth In Focus Report

    Vanessa Bates
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one freaks me out...purely because it looks like just a head!

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    #25

    Mother's Pure Bliss

    Mother's Pure Bliss

    A&E Caro Photography Report

    Shelley Taylor
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is too airbrushed, it take away the realness

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    #26

    Euphoric First Embrace Together

    Euphoric First Embrace Together

    Kate Murray Photography Report

    #27

    Honorable Mentions. Honoring The Temple

    Honorable Mentions. Honoring The Temple

    Elliana Gilbert Photography Report

    Laura Vela
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those fishnet stretchy hospital panties with jumbo pad.. best feeling though.. once your here, you know you definitely passed the finish line!!

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    #28

    Birth In Colour

    Birth In Colour

    Tree of Life Doula Photography Report

    Fleur Blom
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That placenta looks like a beautiful colorful tree

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    #29

    Ascension

    Ascension

    Angelfire Photography Report

    Golden Rayquaza
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... well... if i saw this i wouldnt take a photo.. but.. whatever

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    #31

    Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

    Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

    Samantha Noel Photography Report

    Megan Siefken
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this one of all of them. I don't know why.

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Honorable Mentions. 17 Years Of Waiting: A Non-fertility Miracle

    Honorable Mentions. 17 Years Of Waiting: A Non-fertility Miracle

    Ker-Fox Photography Report

    Katie Allen
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those are really muscular legs! I don't understand why they are holding the baby's neck that way.

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    #34

    Honorable Mentions. She Holds Her Daughter’s Fingers In Awe And Wonde

    Honorable Mentions. She Holds Her Daughter’s Fingers In Awe And Wonde

    The He{ART} of Motherhood Report

    Mia Melberg
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's some astounding nails om that baby. Those are going to be beautifull

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    #35

    Superman Style Arrival

    Superman Style Arrival

    Birth is beautiful-Captured by Ina Report

    Kim Mick
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only person seemingly aware of the camera is the baby!

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    #36

    Raw Power

    Raw Power

    Vanessa Mendez Birth Photography Report

    Lee Hardy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone took the time to get ice tea 😉

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    #37

    Looking Inside

    Looking Inside

    Andrea Oleson Report

    Denise Stark
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This really reminded me of just how intense the pain was. Childbirth was much harder that I expected!

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    #38

    The Go-to Position For Slow Labor

    The Go-to Position For Slow Labor

    Leilani Rogers, Photographer Report

    #39

    Honorable Mentions. Rapture

    Honorable Mentions. Rapture

    Katie Mathis Photography Report

    Margaret Buckley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure if that is rapture or relief, but the photo is beautiful.

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    #40

    Honorable Mentions. Future Big Sister

    Honorable Mentions. Future Big Sister

    Public Kiss Photography Report

    #41

    First Wrinkles

    First Wrinkles

    Susan Johnson Photography Report

    Line Ytterhus
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So beautiful, wish We could smell him and the others here as well.

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #43

    Holding On To Strength

    Holding On To Strength

    Birth Day geboortefotografie Report

    #45

    Moment To Collect

    Moment To Collect

    Lauren Guilford Photography Report

    #46

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

    Doula Services by Dianne Report

    Airisama15 Ban
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a powerful reason why you shouldn't yell at your mom! All the pain she passed because of you

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    #47

    Motherland...

    Motherland...

    CreaNostra Photography Report

    #49

    Honorable Mentions. She Believed She Could

    Honorable Mentions. She Believed She Could

    Little Plum Photography by Stephanie Entin Report

    #50

    United We Are Strong

    United We Are Strong

    Lillian Craze Birth Photography Report

    Jasmine Palmer
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aww! This one makes me well up. How beautiful!

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    #51

    Within The Waves

    Within The Waves

    Bree Downes Birth Support & Photography Report

    Jamee Matthews
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love her partners face.. so concerned supportive and gentle !

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #53

    Best In Category: Labor, Determination

    Best In Category: Labor, Determination

    Katie Mathis Photography Report

    #54

    Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

    Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

    Cat Fancote – Capturing Birth Report

    Carolyn Leasure
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son was born 30 days early. His cord was wrapped around 3 times around his neck, hence blue baby. He's 47 now, 6'8"....

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    #55

    Hear Me Roar

    Hear Me Roar

    The Art of Unscripted Report

    #56

    Baby's First Defense

    Baby's First Defense

    An Infinite Moment Photography Report

    Marci Catania
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its called Vernix. It protects the baby from the amniotic fluid they swim in before birth

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    #57

    Honorable Mentions. Droplets Of Mercy

    Honorable Mentions. Droplets Of Mercy

    Elliana Gilbert Photography Report

    Kaylin Brenay
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You do realize most, if not all of these, are taken by birth photographers right?

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    #59

    Riding The Wave

    Riding The Wave

    Cara Bjornson Report

    Abigail Wolfle
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It shows the determination of mothers before having the baby

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