When childbirth moved from the home to the hospital, we lost more than just the natural home-birth experience so many are trying to reclaim. As a society, we collectively stopped learning what the process of labor and delivery look like, now that it’s no longer happening in the room or hut next door. Our culture doesn’t always appreciate beautiful, transformational work that brings babies into the world. But maybe — just maybe! — getting an inside look through birth photography could change that.
Birth photography has become an art form so in-demand that there’s an International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, with a robust membership of talented photogs. Each year they release their Birth Photography Competition winners, and the results are stunning. This year marks the organization’s 13th competition.
These photos capture intimate, miraculous moments that show human life does go on, despite the hardships we’ve all faced in the past few years — and how strong and awe-inspiring birthing people have always been, and continue to be. We are still in awe of the way families to trust a photographer to document this profound moment in their lives.
The 2023 winners comprise the first part of the slideshow, ahead, along with a few other images captured by extremely talented birth photographers. The winners from previous years follow after those. And because there’s so much childbirth photography can teach people about the utter beauty of birth, whether it happens drug-free in a bathtub or while medicated in operating room during a cesarean section, we’re also including photos SheKnows has previously gathered, along with some great quotes from the photographers who took them.
“Birth photography is such an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to mothers processing their birth stories,” Lauren Jolly, a birth photographer in Winston-Salem, NC, tells SheKnows. “I think my favorite part of my job is delivering a gallery of images to a mom so they can see their strength, support, and love — it’s magical to be able to see that in photo form. I also love being able to share birth, in all its forms, with the world.” Why? Because “normalizing birth for women in our society is so important,” Jolly adds.
Please note: The following images show childbirth in all of its beautiful, messy glory. If you are uncomfortable seeing all parts of the female anatomy, do not click through.
A version of this story was originally published in June 2019.
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Ascent
Image Credit: Eva Thomassen Fotografie Of this stunning shot, photographer Eva Thomassen of Eva Thomassen Fotografie says, “This image represents the power of the female body and what it is capable of, even against all odds, when birth is left untouched.”
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The Greatest Surprise
Image Credit: Alexandria Mooney Photography According to photographer Alexandria Mooney of Alexandria Mooney Photography, this couple had waited to find out the sex of their second baby until birth — and were elated to have a baby daughter joining their older son at home.
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Wait for White
Image Credit: Little Rose Photography At first glance, this may look like a baby coming into the world feet-first — but as photographer Charlie Halman of Little Rose Photography explains, it’s actually an example of delayed cord clamping — i.e., waiting until the umbilical cord stops pulsating and turns white before cutting.
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A Love Bigger Than Africa
This birthing mom had just accomplished her goal of an unmedicated birth in this sweet shot by Leslie Castleberry of Novita Family Photostories, LLC. In the words of the mother: “I have never felt more powerful and strong than I did with this birth. I had accomplished one of my greatest goals. It was so incredibly difficult, but I did it.”
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Bloodline
Image Credit: Alannah Finn Photographer Alannah Finn of Birth Body Photography perfectly captured the beautiful-but-bloody reality of what childbirth can look like.
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Fight the Power
In this “hands-on” photograph by zenmama love, photographer Martha Lerner explains, “Mom and Dad were adamant that they build a birth team that would make them feel safe, which to them meant their baby would be born into a room full of people that looked like her, and her parents, persons of color. Baby came out and was placed on Mom’s chest and immediately pumped her little ‘Fight the Power’ fist!”
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Emerged
This baby’s entrance into the world via c-section came after a last-minute flip to the breech position, according to photographer Lauren Maggi of Lauren Maggi, LLC.
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Brace for Birth
Image Credit: Laura Brink/Rewild Her Following a speedy labor, photographer Laura Brink of Rewild Her says this baby was ready to go and came out “braced for birth.”
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Waking Up at Sunrise
Image Credit: @PAULA BELTRAO FOTOGRAFIA It’s amazing when we can get a glimpse of a baby’s inner world on the outside, as captured in this shot by photographer Paula Beltrão of Studio Paula Beltrão.
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Cry of Love
Image Credit: Anne Lucy Fotografia Photographer Anne Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia managed to capture the pure and primal emotion of a birthing mother in this stunning photo.
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Life Beneath the Surface
Image Credit: Mary Beliz This captivating shot by photographer Mary Beliz shows this baby being born from one watery world into another.
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First Touch
Image Credit: Hello Baby The look on this brand-new dad’s face says it all as he lovingly assists in the birth of his child in a moment captured by Hello Baby geboortefotografie.
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The Hand
Image Credit: Barbara Stynen/On Being Born Photography Photographer Barbara Stynen of On Being Born Photography chose this photo of a baby being born with what’s called a “nuchal hand” as one of her personal favorite images. “[It is] a varation of normal birth which only happens occasionally and is on itself no risk whatsoever for baby or mom,” she tells SheKnows. “I love this image because it is rare to see, and even more rare to then also be able to get a clean and sharp image like this from it!”
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Family-Focused
Image Credit: Charlotte Highfield/Little Rose Photography Birth photographer Charlotte Highfield of Little Rose Photography captured this sweet shot of a family-centered home water birth where the older siblings were present and ready to help out.
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There’s Beauty in the Details
Image Credit: Barbara Stynen/On Being Born Another from photographer Barbara Stynen of On Being Born, this one captures such amazing detail. “The skin of a freshly born baby, wrinkly and still covered in amniotic fluid, blood, vernix … [it’s] a photo you can feel and I love details like this!” she says.
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Ready For Devotion
Image Credit: Sadie Wild These parents preparing to welcome their child into the world show the raw emotions of childbirth through the lens of Sadie Wild, Sadie Wild Photography.
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The Ultimate Gift
This photo of the first moments after a surrogate birth was captured by Charlotte Highfield of Little Rose Photography. “This incredible lady — whose first ever pregnancy this was — gave birth to a son for the two most deserving fathers,” Highfield told SheKnows.
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The First Look
Image Credit: Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography Childbirth is a profound and impactful experience for all involved, not just the person giving birth. This sweet snapshot by Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography shows a new dad overwhelmed with emotion at the first sight of his baby.
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Into the Night
Image Credit: Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography This portrait by Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography beautifully illustrates that even though birth is grueling and physical, there are also elements of the magical and surreal.
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The Blessed Exhaustion
Image Credit: danny merz // geburtsreportage.de Childbirth is a physically grueling task, and this new mom is finally able to take a moment to give in to her exhaustion, as captured by German photographer Danny Merz.
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Womb World to Our World
Image Credit: Sadie Wild/Sadie Wild Photography A mother’s body isn’t the only one that undergoes physical changes during birth, as this gorgeous picture of a bright-eyed newborn by Sadie Wild Photography shows.
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The Quiet After the Storm
Image Credit: Barbara Stynen - On Being Born “Not much can compare to the energy of the quiet after the storm,” photographer Barbara Stynen of On Being Born tells SheKnows of this powerful photo. “Everyone in awe of what just happened. Mom and baby together as one, baby still attached to the placenta while mom checks the umbilical cord, seemingly unaware of everything and everyone around them.”
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Absolute Joy
Image Credit: Eden Photography (Maestas Family) The title of this photograph, “Absolute Joy”, says it all — just look at all these beaming faces! This special moment was captured by Lindsey Eden of Lindsey Eden Photography.
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The Reach
Image Credit: Natalie Weber Every type of birth is beautiful, and nothing illustrates that more than this beautiful C-section snap by Natalie Weber of Natalie Zepp Photography.
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Soften Open Release
Image Credit: Deborah van Bruchem An absolutely stunning close-up that will make anyone appreciate what a birthing body goes through, this photo was captured by Deborah van Bruchem of Noa Fotografie.
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Twins’ First Latch
Image Credit: Jessica Miles Winner in the Best Overall Postpartum category is this monumental moment of the first of many, many feedings by photographer Jessica Miles of Jessica Miles Photography.
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Love and Support
Image Credit: Vannessa Brown The care and concern of the whole family shines through in this precious shot from Vannessa Brown of Vannessa Brown Photography.
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Blood Of My Blood
Image Credit: Laura Brink Winner in two categories — Birth Details and Members’ Choice Best Overall — is this riveting portrait of new life by Laura Brink of Rewild Her Birth Photography & Film.
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Exhale
Image Credit: Natalie Broders You can just see the profound relief in the face of this mom, immortalized by Portland birth photographer Natalie Broders.
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A Touch of Love
Image Credit: Rafael Imhof 2022’s overall winner, shot by Bárbara Aviz Fotografia, is a look at birth that’s both funny and poignant.
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Ecstasy
Image Credit: Jacinta Lagos Birth Services The look of sheer relief and triumph on this mother’s face after the safe delivery of her baby was captured by photographer Jacinta Lagos of Jacinta Lagos Birth Services.
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The Greatest Love in the World
Image Credit: Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia. This moment of well-earned joy, taken by Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia in Brazil, won the Judges’ prize for Best in Delivery as well as the Members Choice Best Overall honor from the IAPBP’s 2021 competition.
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Daddy’s Girls
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography. The connection between these two big sisters, their dad, and their new sibling is going to last a lifetime, and it’s so wonderful to get to see it at the very beginning. That’s why this pic by Canadian Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography won the judges’ Best Overall award and the members’ Best in Postpartum for 2021.
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The Origin of Life
Image Credit: Charlene Förster Fotografie. How on earth did German photographyer Charlene Förster of Charlene Förster Fotografie make this instant of baby catching look so like a sculpture? This was both the judges’ and the members’ choice for Best in Birth Details.
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Nourish
Image Credit: Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography. This was the judges’ pick for Best “Fresh 48” — that’s the apt term photographers give a portrait of parent and baby within the first 48 hours of their life. This kid and their mom look like pros as they’re photographed by Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography in New Jersey.
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Grace
Image Credit: Danny Merz of danny merz | geburtsreportage. We can’t tell what’s underwater and what’s out of it in this photo by Danny Merz of danny merz | geburtsreportage, in Germany, and we doubt baby can either. This members’ choice for Best in Delivery.
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Reach Down. He’s Almost Here.
Image Credit: Dana Jacobs Photography. That a photographer like Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography in St. Louis can get so close to the delivering mom in this moment says a lot about her skill and the mom’s focus. This won the judges’ prize for Best in Labor.
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My Body, My Birth
Image Credit: Hanna Hill Photography In this photo by Hanna Hill of Hanna Hill Photography in North Carolina, we can see about a thousand different emotions crossing this mom’s face after all her body has accomplished. This won Best in Postpartum from the judges.
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Nursing A Newborn
Image Credit: Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Film. This photo by Phoenix-based Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Film is so simple, but also just perfectly composed, earning the members’ award for Best in Fresh 48.
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Primal Shapes of Birth
Image Credit: Laura Brink of Rewild Her How incredibly strong is this mother? Laura Brink of Rewild Her caught this baby-catching down in Australia and won Best in Labor from the members.
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Warrior
Image Credit: J&B Photography, LLC. The Best in Birth Details title of the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition went to Bree Garcia of J&B Photography, LLC. This is a body doing the most.
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A Moment of Silence
Image Credit: Jessica Vink of VI Photography. We can imagine this is a truly earned peaceful moment. This photo by Jessica Vink of VI Photography in the Netherlands won First Place in the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition.
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Vernix Constellation
Image Credit: Kinship by Kristy. We don’t often see water birth from this angle, captured by Kristy Visscher of Kinship by Kristy. The IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition named this Best in Postpartum.
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Morning Light Creeps In
Image Credit: Coastal Lifestyles Photography. The light is so perfect, too. Canadian photographer Shea Long of Coastal Lifestyles Photography won Best in Labor in the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition with this shot.
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Denial
Image Credit: Natalie Zepp Photography. Aw, every older sibling can totally relate to this big sister! This photo by American photographer Natalie Webber of Natalie Zepp Photography won “Best in Fresh 48” in the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition.
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Unmasking The Many Layers Of Birth
Image Credit: Alexandria Mooney Photography. There is so much going on in this photo by Alexandria Mooney of Alexandria Mooney Photography, but we can’t stop looking at the big brother’s face of wonder. This won Best in Delivery at the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition.
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Ring of Fire
Image Credit: Your Story Professional Birth Services. How freaking strong are mothers? Katie Torres of Your Story Professional Birth Services took this photo and won the Members’ Choice First Place of the IAPBP 2020 Birth Photography Image Competition.
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The Look of Amazement
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “I love this beautiful moment that shows the pride and gratitude this dad has for his amazing wife — she’d just given birth to their third baby,” Lauren Jolly, Winston-Salem Birth Photographer, tells SheKnows. “Soon after this, the family discovered that the baby they were told would be their third girl was actually a boy!”
You may remember the couple’s story as mom Nancy Ray’s shocked Instagram post went viral.
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A Healing Experience
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “This beautiful momma had a long and difficult birth with her first baby and had opted for a birth center birth the second time around,” Jolly tells SheKnows. “The moment she accomplished her water birth and finally held her baby girl in her arms was so healing and beautiful – her face says it all!”
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Time Slows Down
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “I love how this image shows that no matter what else is going on in the room where you give birth (note the doctor behind the drape), time almost stops when you first hold your baby,” Jolly tells SheKnows.
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A Moment of Elation
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “This incredible momma worked so hard to birth her baby and stayed so joyful throughout her entire labor,” Jolly says. “The moment he was finally in her arms was full of laughter and just the most pure happiness.”
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Sibling Bonding
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “I adore this family,” Jolly says. “As they welcomed their fourth baby into the world, big sister finally got the little sister she’d been praying for. She was so excited to be part of her mom’s labor and birth!”
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The Supportive Daughter
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. Jolly also captured this photo of that particular mom in active labor. Her eldest daughter joined her in the tub during active labor for support.
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A Brief Moment of Repose
Image Credit: Lauren Jolly Photography. “Mothers are warriors,” Jolly says. “I love this image of this dad as he supported his wife through labor; birth stories are love stories.”
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A Mother’s Determination
Image Credit: Liliana Leahy Photography. “Capturing raw emotions is what I love the most about being a birth photographer,” photographer Liliana Leahy tells SheKnows. “The connections between the mother, father, siblings, nurses, doctors and every single one [involved] in that birth creates their birth story. Every smile, painful contraction, laughter, gaze of hope, or tears of joy from finally holding your little one. That’s the connections I strive to capture through my lens.”
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A Grand Entrance
Image Credit: Liliana Leahy Photography. “So many times parents told me they didn’t even remember this moment or that moment happened but when they look at the images, they realized it did happen,” Leahy tells SheKnows. “And they’re grateful that I was there to capture it. There is no greater reward to know you did a little something good in another person’s life.”
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Lean on Me
Image Credit: Liliana Leahy Photography. Leahy captured this quiet moment between a laboring mother and her partner.
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The First Hello
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography. Photographer Ashley Marston snapped this amazing shot of mother and baby gazing upon each other for the first time.
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A Show of Strength
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography. A mother pushes through the early and active stages of labor as she anticipates her new arrival in this photo from Ashley Marston Photography.
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An Elated Introduction
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography. Skin-to-skin contact with newborns promotes heat regulation, bonding, and breast milk production, according to Unicef U.K. In this photo, Marston captured the pure joy it brings, as well.
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A Look Into the Operating Room
Image Credit: Liz Jennings Photography. Cesarean sections make up 32% of all births in the United States, according to the CDC. Here, photographer Liz Jennings shot a special moment between father, child, and mother as a doctor completes the surgery.
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The Final Push
Image Credit: Liz Jennings Photography. A new mother gets a glimpse of her child in this stunning photo from Liz Jennings Photography.
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The First Cries
Image Credit: Liz Jennings Photography. The first sounds from a new child are memorable and magical — and Jennings captured the moment forever.
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A Dedicated Doctor
Image Credit: Liz Jennings Photography. Parents are the real stars during delivery, but we can’t forget the wonderful doctors, doulas, midwives, and nurses who help usher in new life. Here, Jennings spotlights the life-changing moment a doctor guides an infant into the mother’s view.
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A Labor Surprise
Image Credit: Liz Jennings Photography. Labor is often messy and unpredictable — and that’s precisely why it’s so beautiful.
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The Perfect Moment
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography. This new mother was all smiles as her baby’s head emerged. Birth Blessings Photography snapped this serene photo at just the right moment.
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A True Partnership
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography. Photographer Robin Baker caught the incredible moment this twin mama gave birth to her second child while nuzzling her first.
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Twice the Blessings
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography. Approximately 128,000 twins were born in the United States in 2017, the CDC reports. These are just two of the gorgeous babies to join the club.
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From Womb to Water
Image Credit: New Creation Birth Photography. Water births can help reduce tension during delivery, as well as create a soothing environment for an infant, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports. Here, photographer Laura Eckert of New Creation Birth Photography caught an infant’s first moments under water.
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A Supportive Partner
Image Credit: New Creation Birth Photography. Water births can also help increase a pregnant parent’s flexibility, allowing more movement and opening in the hips, according to the AAP.
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Selfie Break
Image Credit: New Creation Birth Photography. This dad couldn’t contain his excitement.
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The Sweetest Hello
Image Credit: New Creation Birth Photography. Baby and mother lock eyes for the first time after a C-section in this gorgeous photo from New Creation Birth Photography.
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Tears of Joy
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography. The labor process often isn’t easy, but this mama’s face — captured by Breathe Birth Photography — demonstrates why the hard work is worth it for so many.
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The Magical Placenta
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography. The placenta provides fetuses with all of their oxygen and nutrients throughout pregnancy. While not the prettiest organ, it is vital for healthy development and growth. Here, Breathe Birth Photography shows an image of a placenta still attached to an infant.
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A Caul Birth
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography. In extremely rare cases, some babies are born with their amniotic sacs still intact. Breathe Birth Photography snapped this breathtaking image of a baby born with the sac lightly covering their head.
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An Incredible Introduction
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography. A mother smiles and gently holds her newborn as they take their first breaths.
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New Beginnings
Image Credit: Leilani Rogers, Photographer. A newborn returns to a fetal position after a water birth in this powerful image from Leilani Rogers.
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A Well-Deserved Rest
Image Credit: Leilani Rogers, Photographer. An infant holds onto Mama after a long journey to the outside world.
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A Father’s Joy
Image Credit: Snap Life Photography. A new father lights up as he sees his child for the first time in this beautiful image from Megan Bowen at Snap Life Photography.
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Overwhelmed by Emotion
Image Credit: Snap Life Photography. Tears, awe, excitement. These are just some of the emotions new parents might feel while greeting their child for the first time. Even without words, this photo from Snap Life Photography says it all.
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