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

Add photo comments
POST
k_leighwhite avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
too_luckie avatar
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
wallofgratitude avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

The First Look

The First Look

Amber Denae Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
rnicholasnimz avatar
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.'

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

Sarah Boccolucci Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
kmssongbird avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

Belle Verdiglione Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
mandamack avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

Birth In Focus Report

#25

Mother's Pure Bliss

Mother's Pure Bliss

A&E Caro Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
shelley_willis avatar
becmegcam avatar
Rebecca Campbell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't even break a sweat. I pushed twice and my daughter was out. Her dad looked at me and said "wow, not even a sweat or a hair out of place". It can happen

Load More Replies...
tdstumpf76 avatar
Teresa McCombs Stumpf
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If y'all that think she is "airbrushed " actually knew this woman and saw her pictures you would know she's not airbrushed. She is a stunning woman who mad have a baby beautiful. I am friends with her and am amazed at how beautiful she looked even pushing. Shame on you ladies who have to talk negative.

christy_breland avatar
Christy Humber
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this young lady personally, she's beautiful she doesn't need airbrushing to make her beautiful!!! That is a look of relief and the baby was born on my birthday!! Haters gonna hate because they can't look like that after delivery!!!!

roxann_stetzer avatar
Crochet Rox
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have teenagers now, and I remember that moment. <3 Pure bliss.

deesummers1985 avatar
Donna Summers
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is beautiful and so is the baby honey I had four and looked that good too not all of us have long labors I had my first in 16 mins and got very much the same responses it's ok congrats to you and the family

babydoll197798 avatar
Emma Bell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this should be changed to ' absolutely and totally exhausted '

charli30902 avatar
kittenheels88 avatar
Sini Manner
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just accidentally perfectly coiffed & made up. Too posed. Are you sure that's 'bliss'?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
laurailara avatar
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!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

Bathed In The Morning Light She Welcomes New Life

Samantha Noel Photography Report

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

Add photo comments
POST
icantnavigate avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
zequr avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Superman Style Arrival

Superman Style Arrival

Birth is beautiful-Captured by Ina Report

#37

Looking Inside

Looking Inside

Andrea Oleson Report

Add photo comments
POST
star2fire avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Honorable Mentions. Rapture

Honorable Mentions. Rapture

Katie Mathis Photography Report

#41

First Wrinkles

First Wrinkles

Susan Johnson Photography Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#46

Christmas Eve Head Shot

Christmas Eve Head Shot

Doula Services by Dianne Report

Add photo comments
POST
airisama15ban avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

Honorable Mentions. Entangled In The Cord That Ties Us

Cat Fancote – Capturing Birth Report

Add photo comments
POST
cleasure avatar
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"....

View more commentsArrow down menu
#56

Baby's First Defense

Baby's First Defense

An Infinite Moment Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
catania_marci avatar
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#57

Honorable Mentions. Droplets Of Mercy

Honorable Mentions. Droplets Of Mercy

Elliana Gilbert Photography Report

Add photo comments
POST
erpsmom avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

Riding The Wave

Riding The Wave

Cara Bjornson Report