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

#2

Best In Category: Birth Details, Pieces Of Me

Best In Category: Birth Details, Pieces Of Me

Kourtnie Scholz Report

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Kayleigh White
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#5

Skin To Skin Today. Heart To Heart Always

Skin To Skin Today. Heart To Heart Always

Catherine Brown Birth & Lifestyle Photography Report

#6

Falling In Love All Over Again

Falling In Love All Over Again

KEDocumentary Report

#7

Are You My Mama?

Are You My Mama?

Jennifer Mason Photography Report

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Sheriann Luckie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#10

First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

Jaydene Freund – Cradled Creations Report

#11

Honorable Mentions. Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy

Honorable Mentions. Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy

Leilani Rogers, Photographer Report

#12

Absorb

Absorb

Bailey Nicole Photography Report

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Janice Takashima
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#14

The First Look

The First Look

Amber Denae Photography Report

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Richard Nimz
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#19

Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

Sarah Boccolucci Photography Report

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Karen Sipes
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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Rachel Nunnally
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lasse if you see this, there was a news story about this picture, the man is dying of brain cancer and he is the baby's dad. She delivered early for him and he was in a hospital bed beside hers during the delivery. He died within days of his only child being born and was able to fulfill his only wish; to hold his baby before he passed.

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Laura Keddie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me cry when I realised what was happening. So sad but also so wonderful, he got to meet his baby before he had to leave the world

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Sarah Morren
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His head is bandaged, maybe he was sick and losing his battle with life? Beautiful tragedy to say the least 😢

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Amanda Harper
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/dad-dying-brain-cancer-cradles-8946533

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Andrea Staley
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad he got to hold his baby... and the baby will have this photo...very sweet and sad...

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Sarah Harshman
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/09/29/dad-with-cancer-travels-from-icu-to-delivery-room-for-sons-birt_a_21482900/

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DT Wetzel
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like the man had a brain surgery, so maybe he was saying hello before goodbye. Really bitter sweet.

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Tara Kinney-Holcomb
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It appears that he has cancer and is dying but he was able to meet his child before he dies...😥

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Victoria Bennett
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad, how beautiful he got to see his baby before going, though. Look at his smile. ❤

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Linda Allison
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like something big is happening to Dad?, he's got what looks like several central IV lines. Looks like heavy duty meds, and possibly neurosurgery? Oh, I see, cancer, a thing that has no heart of pity.

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Alek Szal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He unfortunately had an aggressive type of Brain cancer. Was discovered about 3 weeks prior and he had 3 surgeries before the arrival of the baby. Unfortunately he passed away 3 months later. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/dad-dying-brain-cancer-cradles-8946533

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Sandi Brill
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO SAD...too bad he looks very ill (i'm assuming that is dad?)

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Julie Arpiainen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honorable mention? Obviously this man is facing death.... pretty obvious. Why is this confusing?

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Lynn Cowell-Farrow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was dieing of cancer. He got to meet his chikd befor his death. So sad.

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heather pfaff
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you that f*****g ignorant? Brain cancer. Died 3 months after this was taken!!!

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Chrissy Jones
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad. Glad that dad got the joy of embracing his newborn before he passed on.

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Andrea Jenkins Bennett
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad, yet also beautiful. He left this world with a smile seeing his newborn son. 😢

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RonnAnn Naedele-Risha
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

http://www.coloradobirthphotos.com/2016/09/21/the-birth-of-levon-boulder-colorado-birth-photography/ Dad with stage 4 brain cancer

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LiZzy Da Silva
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've read this article about the guy and his wife and newborn kid and it just broke my heart!! ❤

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Danita McNees
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was dying of Brain Cancer and his wife delivered early so he could see his.child before he passed

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#21

Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

Belle Verdiglione Photography Report

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Amanda Mackenzie B.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#24

Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

Birth In Focus Report

#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

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Laura Vela
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#31

Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

Samantha Noel Photography Report

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#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

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Katie Allen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Mia Melberg
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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

#37

Looking Inside

Looking Inside

Andrea Oleson Report

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Denise Stark
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#39

Honorable Mentions. Rapture

Honorable Mentions. Rapture

Katie Mathis Photography Report

#41

First Wrinkles

First Wrinkles

Susan Johnson Photography Report

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#46

Christmas Eve Head Shot

Christmas Eve Head Shot

Doula Services by Dianne Report

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Airisama15 Ban
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#54

Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

Cat Fancote – Capturing Birth Report

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Carolyn Leasure
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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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#56

Baby's First Defense

Baby's First Defense

An Infinite Moment Photography Report

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Marci Catania
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Kaylin Brenay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated 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