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

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    #2

    Best In Category: Birth Details, Pieces Of Me

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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

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    Falling In Love All Over Again

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    #7

    Are You My Mama?

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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

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    Honorable Mentions. Catching Her Baby, Born Via Surrogacy

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    #12

    Absorb

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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

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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

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    #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

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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

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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

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    #46

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

    Christmas Eve Head Shot

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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

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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

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