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

Alzbeta Sissi
Community Member
9 years ago

This actually made me cry! Its so intense

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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
    9 years ago

    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

    Maria Lazaridou
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    So serene..

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    #4

    That First Gaze

    That First Gaze

    Peanuts and Parents Report

    mother
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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

    Cheesybeansy
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    He's gonna need a bigger visor...

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    #9

    Freshly Squeezed

    Freshly Squeezed

    Apple Blossom Families Report

    Intensive Panda
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I instantly regret ignoring the warning

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    #10

    First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

    First Place Winner. Road To Deliverance

    Jaydene Freund – Cradled Creations Report

    Carolyn Peters
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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

    Nancy Arnold
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Tears of joy x

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    #14

    The First Look

    The First Look

    Amber Denae Photography Report

    Richard Nimz
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    '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

    Romy Van Tongeren
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Beautiful

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Honorable Mentions. Surprise

    Honorable Mentions. Surprise

    KimBerly E. Photography Report

    Stacey Jenks
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    He's still in the bag. Amazing!

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    #17

    Honorable Mentions. Joyful Finale

    Honorable Mentions. Joyful Finale

    Elise Hurst Photography Report

    Bunnies are better!!
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Her face says it all

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    #18

    Honorable Mentions. As She Rose From The Depths

    Honorable Mentions. As She Rose From The Depths

    Tree of Life Doula Photography Report

    Måriøn Iđkerdø
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    😍

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    #19

    Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

    Honorable Mentions. Hello Before Goodbye

    Sarah Boccolucci Photography Report

    Karen Sipes
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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

    VERONIKA K
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Looks sci-fi

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    #21

    Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

    Honorable Mentions. Gentle Caesarean Birth

    Belle Verdiglione Photography Report

    Amanda Mackenzie B.
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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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    #22

    The Softest Landing Pad

    The Softest Landing Pad

    Cradled Creations Report

    Hayat Hasan
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    ❤

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    #23

    Becoming Grandmothers

    Becoming Grandmothers

    The Art of Unscripted Report

    Crochet Rox
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This is so awesome!

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    #24

    Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

    Honorable Mentions. Before The First Breath

    Birth In Focus Report

    Vanessa Bates
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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

    icarus feelsgood
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    im guessing that watch must be waterproof

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    #27

    Honorable Mentions. Honoring The Temple

    Honorable Mentions. Honoring The Temple

    Elliana Gilbert Photography Report

    Laura Vela
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    That placenta looks like a beautiful colorful tree

    Kimberly McGuirk-Klinetobe
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The tree of life

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    Weird Theater Geek
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    So strange to think that something like that comes out, its beautiful and so mysterious, in a way. No hate :)

    Jeri Hibbs
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    my grandmother... a nurse, described the veining on the placenta as the "Tree of Life".. <3

    Karina Haagh
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    It look Like the baby has teeth 😉💖

    Elizabeth Seguin
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I've given birth 4 times and in a few months will be my 5th and this is the first time I've seen the placenta & cord!

    Nikky Gallivan
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Ask if you can see it. I did and was glad I did. Interesting to have a look. Only did it with one of my 3 as once I'd done it wasn't bothered again lol. Good luck x

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    Melissa George-Kull-Stover
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    Isn’t God amazing?

    Dani Mcpherson
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    They say the placenta looks like the tree of life

    Karina Edwards
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    That's a big ol bebe too!

    Danielle Moore-Willis
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Tree of life, literally

    Art Animal
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Once my uncle thought my aunt placenta ( that was in their freezer) was some meat and cut it up and put it in an omelette 😂😂😂

    Julie Arpiainen
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Amazingly done

    Jamie Patterson
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Looks like a kidney

    Chrissy Jones
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Beautiful! Love the colors of the placenta.

    Cyndee Stark
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Wow!

    Tricia Harbour
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Big baby

    Jamee Matthews
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    They should have turned the placenta over

    Jamee Matthews
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Oh nvm! I just looked at mine and it just looks more intense probably because it is closer

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    Mark Darnell
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I understand the basic inner workings of mother nature, and I can appreciate the miracle of birth, but as a gay man I think I'm gonna throw up.

    Beloved
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Nope. Don't get how that is relevant. This is how YOU were born. You think this is sexy for straight people? Or what?

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    #29

    Ascension

    Ascension

    Angelfire Photography Report

    Golden Rayquaza
    Community Member
    9 years ago

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

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    #30

    Breathe

    Breathe

    Brezi Photography Report

    Leslie Cully
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Beautiful!

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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
    9 years ago

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

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    #32

    Honorable Mentions. Birth Of A Mother

    Honorable Mentions. Birth Of A Mother

    Cat Fancote – Capturing Birth Report

    Kellee Harmon
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    ❤️

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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

    Katie Allen
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

    Someone took the time to get ice tea 😉

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    #37

    Looking Inside

    Looking Inside

    Andrea Oleson Report

    Denise Stark
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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

    Shahzeb Azhar
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Adorable

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    #39

    Honorable Mentions. Rapture

    Honorable Mentions. Rapture

    Katie Mathis Photography Report

    Margaret Buckley
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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

    Totally Magical Unicorn
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Yep...that's the appropriate reaction.

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    #41

    First Wrinkles

    First Wrinkles

    Susan Johnson Photography Report

    Line Ytterhus
    Community Member
    9 years ago

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

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    #42

    Intertwined

    Intertwined

    Deborah Elenter Report

    Sandi Brill
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    love this!

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    #43

    Holding On To Strength

    Holding On To Strength

    Birth Day geboortefotografie Report

    Mike Ordoñez
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    The whites of her knuckles!

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    #44

    This Is Life

    This Is Life

    Santa Cruz Birth Photography & Doula Services Report

    Jillian Cameron
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    She's just realised she's got a screamer.

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    #45

    Moment To Collect

    Moment To Collect

    Lauren Guilford Photography Report

    Julie Arpiainen
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Labor...... just the beginning.

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    #46

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

    Doula Services by Dianne Report

    Airisama15 Ban
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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

    Zoe Krishel
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I can feel her exhaustion!!!

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    #48

    Euphoria, Triumph

    Euphoria, Triumph

    An Infinite Moment Photography Report

    Totally Magical Unicorn
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Wow, hair and makeup on point! Kudos!

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    #49

    Honorable Mentions. She Believed She Could

    Honorable Mentions. She Believed She Could

    Little Plum Photography by Stephanie Entin Report

    Amelia Holt
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    So she did.

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    #50

    United We Are Strong

    United We Are Strong

    Lillian Craze Birth Photography Report

    Jasmine Palmer
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

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

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    #52

    Peaceful Entry

    Peaceful Entry

    Stacey Lorraine Birth Photography Report

    Dora Leonardi
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Whats mature about nature ?

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    #53

    Best In Category: Labor, Determination

    Best In Category: Labor, Determination

    Katie Mathis Photography Report

    Annie Whitlocke
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Impossible to forget

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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

    Carolyn Leasure
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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

    Jasmine Lumber
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    I roared that hospital down..

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    #56

    Baby's First Defense

    Baby's First Defense

    An Infinite Moment Photography Report

    Marci Catania
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    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
    9 years ago

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

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    #58

    The World Ahead

    The World Ahead

    Jessica Worland Photography Report

    Julie Arpiainen
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    Lovely

    #59

    Riding The Wave

    Riding The Wave

    Cara Bjornson Report

    Abigail Wolfle
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    It shows the determination of mothers before having the baby

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