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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#15

Honorable Mentions. Approaching Life

Honorable Mentions. Approaching Life

Deborah Elenter Report

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

This is amazing. Literally amazing. Anyone who doesn't feel like birth is kind of miraculous when they see an image like this is just kidding themselves

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

Now I don't wanna have a baby anymore. I've got 3 kids 😂😅

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

Why would the photo prevent you from wanting more children? It's amazing! The power of a woman's body, to unite her egg with the sperm, nurture and grow a little human being, then the baby bursts forth from her body as she LABORS with strength and power to help birth the child.

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

I'm mesmerized by this shot...it can be so many different things in it's simplest composition...but yet, that's the threshold from Heaven to the here and now.

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

Wow.. mummy has great skin..Mine looks scary to me...Sigh... so is it ok to go for waxing before delivery? Hmmm..

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

I made that mistake my first birth. I went and got waxed a few days before my due date. Nobody warned me that the pubic area is VERY sensitive for pregnant women shortly before birth. It was TEN TIMES more painful than normal. AND my baby was overdue so a lot grew back before my birth anyway! Smarter to just have husband or very close friend/family member shave for you if you really want. Frankly I don't like to shave the pubic area because when it grows back it itches like mad!

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

Approaching life?? It's already life; it's just approaching BIRTH.

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

Sadly that is not always a true statement. I gave birth to a baby who never made this last transition. Never took a breath. Thankfully, I had 4 that did. <3

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

As a woman who has had t9 go through IVF and have met many wonderful donors and surrogates let me assure you the surrogate has carried that child for the other party and would gladly have that child passed to then before her. I myself after having children will be a surrogate and or donor. It's beautiful the gift of life especially if you can give it to someone else.

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

This one should have been in the top ten. In place of the one that wasnt as emotional as the rest. Still all were serene and beautiful but still stick withmy opinion.

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

There are some things I would like to keep my husband intrigued by

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

I have similar pics from my first born, now 38 years old. This pic reminds me how surprising the pain was.... I had no NO idea about that kind of severe pain. But I went on to have 4 kids regardless......

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

Oh my god did i actually had to click a mature content button? This is disgusting that one is required to do so in order to visualize a human body!

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

This moment I remember so clearly. Being so scared to push through that burning pain and yet to excited and desperate to see my baby not to. Putting my hand down to feel the head so close and knowing that the door won't open and yet very soon there'll be a whole new person in the room. Just amazing.

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

Absolutely beautiful photograph. Amazing to see baby's head just beginning to crown.

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

This instantly brought me back to the intense pain during delivery. Curse you ring of 🔥!

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

I remember watching my older two be born. It was amazing. My youngest two came too fast to get to watch them.

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

I'm sorry not trying to be negative but this is why I told my doc move the mirror it already hurts enough I don't need to see it hurt! Still think some of these pictures need to be shown to teens and preteens maybe then they wouldn't romanticize babies and birth and sex before they are ready. Because this hurts!

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

I did this twice. It hurts but it's still part of the luckiest miracle. Wouldn't change a thing about it. To me this represents love

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

Perhaps you are uncomfortable with the power and beauty of a woman's vagina? Or never took Biology 101 and have no idea where babies come from? These photos are incredibly beautiful and powerful. This photo is absolutely gorgeous.

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Lilya
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7 years ago

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🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

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

So what did you expect from a photo competition about birth? Puking emoji right back at you!

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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

#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