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20 Winning Photos Of 2018 Birth Photography Contest Prove That Moms Are Badass
Giving birth is an incredibly beautiful part of life that needs to be talked about and celebrated more. Birth photography awards Birth Becomes Her 2018 encourages everyone to do just that by honoring the most stunning pictures of mothers going through this one-of-a-kind experience.
The photo contest received over 1,000 submissions from all over the world that competed in 5 categories: Maternity, Labor, Birth, Fresh, and Breastfeeding. The best photos were chosen by an international jury, while the admirers of the impressive kind of photography could voice their opinion by voting for their favorites too and deciding who will take the People's Choice prizes.
Scroll down to see the beautiful photos that have won and see what impressed the audiences in the last photography contest here and here.
Source: Birth Becomes Her (h/t design you trust)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Overall Winner. Marijke Thoen Of Marijke Thoen Geboortefotografie – Serving Lochristi, Belgium – “Stunning Siblings First Encounter”
Jan Cowan 7 years ago
Why is the water so clear? We all know the ‘stuff’ that happens during birth/afterbirth.
Catherine Griffin 7 years ago
It looks like the babe was literally JUST born, so the whoooosh of matter had not yet been visible. I'll bet 2 seconds later, the water wasn't so clear.
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Jose Baeyens 7 years ago
1. Because there's a serious filtering system on these things. They're not "just tubs". 2. The bath is raised so the doctors and nurses don't need to be on their knees to assist. It's almost 30 years ago that my youngest niece was born this way.
Pia Dorer 7 years ago
Wow unbelievable and so incredibly beautiful. This was my dream for my eldest daughter to watch he siblings be born underwater but for various reasons she did not make it to see them born (one birth too late at night and she fell asleep and the other too fast lol). Thank you for sharing..almost makes me want to do it all again....I'm breathless seeing this beauty!
Laura Perkinson 7 years ago
I can't say this was seconds after birth as no one is born sitting up. but I have to say as a adult. I am glad I did not see my mother go through this. However I am all for the fathers being in the room. I think they NEED to know it is not just a simple thing.
Mac Hayes 7 years ago
I beg to differ with the claim that "Birth is an incredibly beautiful part of life" - it is painful, and sometimes very ugly. The only people who call it "beautiful" are simply unfamiliar with, or maybe too embarrassed to use, the words that are most descriptive of what they are seeing.
Windkissed 7 years ago
You are apparently only viewing it in a very simplistic, perhaps tainted manner. What one may see when they look at the mothers face of perceived pain and agony, I see the power and strength only a mother can know. What one may see as gross afterbirth, I see as a miraculous system that supported life. What one may see as ugly, I see as the realness of life creating life....which to me is beautiful. I am a mother of two, through natural birthing using the Bradley Method.
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jevais 7 years ago
So shocking to have their little girl participating to this birth. Why would parents but their small child through this? Childrend should keep their innocent as long as possible.
Okido 7 years ago
She doesn’t seem very upset, more curious and interested.
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RELATED:
#2
Maternity First Place. Jen Conway Of Jen Conway Photography Serving Greenville, Sc – “This Is What A Goddess Looks Like”
Lulik 7 years ago
That was exactly the same that I wanted to write =) She is looking like some goodness
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Marie Oriol-Lavalle 7 years ago
...majestic beauty, and she’s bearing new life—stunning picture!
Prashant Karnath 7 years ago
That vertical line across the belly... freaked me out when it happenned with my wife. I don't see it in the other photos
MBZ MetalsmithArtist 7 years ago
The dark line is pretty common- I had it ( and another weird pregnant skin condition I had never heard of, my face got a tanned "mask" )they faded completely after my beautiful son was born. The body is a wonderfully mysterious vessel
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#3
Birth Third Place. Dominique Lamontagne Of Dominique Lamontagne Photography – Serving Ottawa, Ontario – “Caught In Between Worlds”
Claudia Machado 7 years ago
Actually this is an instinctive reaction that allows babies to hold their breath under water. They lose this ability when they reach 3 or 4 months.
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Grace Smith 7 years ago
Why are these kids born in water I didn’t know could some one please explain
Okido 7 years ago
My youngest son was born under water, too. I had multiple reasons for giving birth under water. One is that the baby goes smoothly from water to water before getting out in the air. Second reason was for myself: the warm water eases the pain from the contractions and it’s relaxing between two contractions.
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#4
Maternity Second Place. Melissa Benzel Of Benzel Photography – Serving Orlando, Florida – “Staying Afloat”
BitterSweetWisdom 7 years ago
Just saying, you wouldn't want to actually swim anywhere in Florida other than the ocean, water moccasins, some rattlesnakes even go into the swamps, alligators too. I'm saying this as a Floridan myself. Trust me, folks, don't swim in freshwater down south.
Dave Moyer 7 years ago
Most of the freshwater springs in Florida are not only perfectly safe to swim in, they're among the best places to swim on the continent. No snakes, no gators, just crystal clear water (and a fair number of turtles). And yeah, I'm a part-time Floridian, too.
Load More Replies... Marie Oriol-Lavalle 7 years ago
There’s something about the ill-fitting thong that distracts from the picture’s beauty. She’s beautifully pregnant, flowing freely in water, arms outstretched, long hair, lillie-white chiffon fabric wavering through the rippling water—Boom the thong! The model could have worn something else to protect her modesty if that was the concern. There are so many nude-tone options for apparel these days. Based only on my eyes’ response to this picture, I’d have put the model in something that comes off less restrictive/piercing into her skin/hurting....that’s my opinion
Heather Johnson 7 years ago
I like this one better than the first place one. This one has more to it.
Brandy Gray 7 years ago
Its Florida..nothing but swamp and ocean water lol. I think that's kinda the whole point of the picture.
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#5
Birth Second Place. Neely Ker-Fox Of Ker-Fox Photography – Serving Columbus, Ga – “Fist Bump For Mom”
Juli Snyder 7 years ago
When Women say to Another Woman, Oh You had the easy way out by having a Csection!! There's Absolutely no Easy Way out of giving Birth, but I can say, both My Children had to be born by Csection, because of Medical Reasons.. Having a Csection is Not The Easy Way Out!! I'd done Anything to have been able to have My Babies placed on My Chest to Hold with Them being Seconds old. To recover from a Csection is no Laughing Matter,but in the long run, We As Mom's, get A Fantastic Gift no Matter the way we give Birth.
Okido 7 years ago
You’re absolutely right. It’s a huge surgery with a long recovery time. I’m so glad I never had to have a C-section, but could have two natural births. I wish you could have experienced that, too. I really admire women who have to recover from that kind of surgery and take care of a young baby at the same time.
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Savannah Shields 7 years ago
It's a c-section. There is a drape up to maintain the sterile field and the sometimes they have these film drapes so the mother can see the birth.
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Heather Johnson 7 years ago
Oh great another troll. DO NOT FEED THE TROLL YOU GUYS.
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Birth First Place. Selena Rollason Of Brisbane Birth Photography – Serving Brisbane, Au – “Half Born And Already Reaching For Mama”
#7
Breastfeeding Third Place. Christina Benton – Serving Milwaukee, Wi – “Stir Fry”
Josh Coker 7 years ago
i don't understand why some people it's gross to breastfeed. here in portland, it happens all the time here and no one cares
David Daisy May Boldock 7 years ago
No one should care Josh but narrow minded idiots do. Breast feeding is perfectly natural, and when the baby needs feeding his/her needs are paramount. Anyone in my book who complains is staring too much.
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Labor First Place. Rebecca Coursey-Rugh Of Rebecca Coursey Photography – Serving Los Angles, Ca – “Nowhere And Everywhere”
#9
People’s Choice Category Winner – Labor. Esther Edith Of Esther Edith Photography – Serving Spokane, Washington – “Three Souls Labor As One”
Sayouri H 7 years ago
Why does she have make-up? :D did she tell the doctor "Wait, i need to makeup first, for the picture"? She clearly is beautiful without makeup anyway.
#10
Maternity Third Place. Vanessa Mendez Of Vanessa Mendez Photography – Serving San Antonio, Tx – “A Mother’s Love”
Trude Donnelly 7 years ago
I miss it too. My babies are now 16. 18. 20 and 23
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Danie Celle Rico 7 years ago
I was like this. And i remember carrying my febrile 2yo firstborn, trying to get her to sleep, few hours postpartum. While my just-born kid lay alone on bed, daddy rushed to pharmacy at 1am for tylenol. It was a desperate situation but was my happiest memory to date💕💕💕 im crying remembering all of it 2yrs after...
#11
Fresh/postpartum First Place. Veronika Richardson Of Fox Valley Birth And Baby – Serving Green Bay, Wi – “This Is Vbac”
#12
Labor Second Place. Ashley Marston Of Ashley Marston Photography – Serving Vancouver Island, Bc – “Labor By Candlelight”
#13
Fresh/postpartum Second Place. Lacey Barratt From Lacey Barratt Photography – Serving Melbourne, Au – “Rebirth”
#14
People’s Choice Category Winner – Breastfeeding. Gabriella Hunt Of Gabriella Hunt Photography – Serving Rochester, New York – “A Hush Fell Over The Crowd”
Susann Campbell 7 years ago
The Baby got fussy and then a hush descended when the baby suddenly went quiet and the crowd was amazed at this mothers attention to her off spring.
#15
People’s Choice Category Winner – Fresh/postpartum. Deborah Elenter Of Neo Photography – Serving Uruguay – “Success”
MEB 7 years ago
If someone took a picture of me right now, it could be titled "The Ugly Cry", in the category "Hormonal Mess". PS : Going for my first ultrasound this afternoon. Wish me luck!
Nikki True 7 years ago
I'm almost 10 weeks. Had my first ultrasound 2 weeks ago and then another last week. Don't be surprised if baby still looks like a shrimp lmao Good luck!!!
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Aud Wey 7 years ago
"Success": the feeling that you feel the first time breastfeeding works. So fulfilling!!!! YES :)
MBZ MetalsmithArtist 7 years ago
Yes, total miracle when it works! I sing the praises of my lactation nurse, who was instrumental in helping us out after a very difficult labor and birth.
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#16
Breastfeeding First Place. Cory Janiak By Ebb And Flow Photography – Serving Treasure Coast, Fl – “Within Reach”
#17
Breastfeeding Second Place. Veronika Richardson Of Fox Valley Birth And Baby – Serving Green Bay, Wi – “Tranquility”
Lisa Sharp 7 years ago
They've found that if you wait to cut the cord for approximately 5 mins or so the cord empties all the nutrient rich and stem cell blood into the baby. Looks like that's what they're doing.
Tabby Lynn 7 years ago
I waited to cut the cord until I was all stitched up and my little one settled down. :) I did that research before going into the hospital.
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Pamula Furness 7 years ago
not disgusting, imho. Practical and vital, unfortunately, I never got offered either of mine. I HAD hoped to plant it in my garden, under a spell, but hey-hoe.
Miz T 7 years ago
As disgusting as it is, some people cook and eat that stuff, others plant it in their garden.
Trude Donnelly 7 years ago
I left mine at the hospital for them to dispose of.
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Lydia Curio 7 years ago
it's the placenta and the amniotic sac which held the baby. it looks gross but we all were attached to one when we were in utero, and the placentas all come out of the womb after we are born, either vaginally or by c-section. it is why women bleed after childbirth, because the placenta was attached to the side of the uterus and then leaves a large ''wound'' after becomes detached. The uterus contracts again to get smaller and smaller and this closes the space where the placenta was implanted, thereby reducing blood loss, which takes up to 6 weeks.
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Sayouri H 7 years ago
How did they get all this stuff into thw bowl lol....? im afraid to watch a full-movie with birth since i'm hemophobe, so.. if any1 knows... please comment.
Patsy Robins 7 years ago
Lifted it into the bowl with their hands! The placenta is solid tissue, you usually catch it with your hands and guide it into a dish. Haven't done one in water, not sure if she would've gotten out to deliver the placenta or not. Water is remarkably clear considering she just gave birth in it.
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Labor Third Place. Laura Wando Of Laura Cate Photography – Serving Kampala, Uganda – “Before The Cut”
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What do you think ?
Magpie 7 years ago
These are great photos. But I am seriously against the idea of making birth some sort of competition!
Ericka Caudle 7 years ago
Where does it show that birth is a competition?
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Sarah Figini 7 years ago
Its all very natural and beautiful but i do wish i hadn't looked at them with a hangover
Claudia Lorenz 7 years ago
Not feeling it, sorry. Giving birth is intensely private and making it a sideshow is not appealing.
Malina Sjömark 7 years ago
This is so beautiful, but also depressing when you know you'll never be able to give birth
Bonnie Matheson 7 years ago
Such beautiful photographs, I loved every one of them. Thank you so much for posting. Birth is not a competition, but for many women it is the pinnacle of their achievements and sets the stage for the future success of everything they do.
Magpie 7 years ago
These are great photos. But I am seriously against the idea of making birth some sort of competition!
Ericka Caudle 7 years ago
Where does it show that birth is a competition?
Load More Replies... Sarah Figini 7 years ago
Its all very natural and beautiful but i do wish i hadn't looked at them with a hangover
Claudia Lorenz 7 years ago
Not feeling it, sorry. Giving birth is intensely private and making it a sideshow is not appealing.
Malina Sjömark 7 years ago
This is so beautiful, but also depressing when you know you'll never be able to give birth
Bonnie Matheson 7 years ago
Such beautiful photographs, I loved every one of them. Thank you so much for posting. Birth is not a competition, but for many women it is the pinnacle of their achievements and sets the stage for the future success of everything they do.
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