Award-winning birth photos from around the world
These beautiful images capturing different birth stories from around the world, are the award winning shots from the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers 2016 Image of the Year Competition.
Categories were Labour, Delivery and Postpartum, and judges chose winners based on their composition, technicality and emotion. Our main image is the overall first place winner, 'Underwater birth, baby with gorgeous curly hair', by photographer Marijke Thoen of Geboortefotografie, courtesy birthphotographers.com.
And, while birth is beautiful, it's also messy and real, so expect some nudity when viewing the entries.
Best In Category: Labour, Morag Hastings 223 | The Surge
Best In Category: Delivery, Robin Baker 341 | En-Caul Unassisted Twin Water Birth
Best In Category: Postpartum, Natalia Walth 500 | Where peace begins.
Honorable Mention, Krista Evans 382 | It calls to her both loudly and softly in song.
Honorable Mention, Angela Gallo 26 | Maternal Grace
Honorable Mention, alexandra kayy photography 7 | In between two worlds.
Click here to see all the entries.