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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#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

#40

Honorable Mentions. Future Big Sister

Honorable Mentions. Future Big Sister

Public Kiss Photography Report

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

I like how you have to be 18 to see this and the girls like 9 😂

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

Am I the only one who find it inappropriate for a kid to see this???

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

In most cultures girls attend their first births before puberty. It's how they learn. Western culture has kind of deprived girls of learning this way. In these cultures, birth and pregnancy and birty is never a surprise or shock since the girls have been witnessing it for so long! It's actually been proven by social anthropologists to make better mothers!

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

Why are these images flagged like that's? Where the hell do people think babies come from? Grow up!

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

My kids loved welcoming their siblings! A shame to miss this incredible opportunity.

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

She is NEVER going to be able to take a simple #2 in peace again. Ever. 'Needing some privacy' now has no merit. Lol!

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Khrystja
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My niece got to do something like this. Mom! you said I was having a baby sister, not poo!!!!

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

once that little girl finds out how babies are made.. Shes def gonna refrain from sex 😂😂

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

Ez gyereknek ezt baromira nem.kéne látnia, főleg nem.így......

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

For skin to skin contact. It's both bonding and calming for baby and dad. It happens a lot now in hospitals even.

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

What the hell?! Boredpanda has to hide the picture with the mature content label, but the parents find it's ok to show that to the little girl!!!

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

Not sure if child should see this so early. After the baby is born but not during. She could get scared from her lol screaming and give her nightmares

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

Not if you explain that this is natural and that mommy is fine. Plus, not every birthing woman screams (in fact, many midwives recommend to preserve your energy instead of wasting it through screams).

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

That kid may never get pregnant now! She is gonna need a shrink after this....... lol

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

I don't think it is appropriate for a little girl/ or child to be witnessing this.

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

Why not? If she is educated before hand, even shown diagrams and videos, there is zero reason she shouldnt be there.

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#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