THE miracle of childbirth is laid bare in this series of intimate images.
Each one shows a different baby making its first entrance in to the world, meeting its parents and siblings for the first time ever.
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A little girl sees her sibling for the first time - still attached to mum with the umbilical cordCredit: Marijke Thoen of Marijke Thoen Geboortefotografie
The pictures are finalists in photo contest , which saw 966 different images of birth from around the world pitted head to head for £1430 ($2000) worth of prizes.
More and more families are inviting specialised 'birth photographers' in to the delivery room - and when you see the powerful memories they're left with, it's easy to understand why.
From the first breath to the first feed, incredible moments of motherhood are immortalised - and some of the more painful moments documented, too.
One image shows a child meeting their new sibling for the first time - but rather than the toddler cooing over a cot, they are making eye contact through the walls of a glass birthing tank.
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A baby born by C-section sees its parents for the first time... through a piece of plastic sheet sheetCredit: Neely Ker-Fox of Ker-Fox Photography
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A mirror captures a mum in labourCredit: Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography
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A tattoed mum stands holding her newborn babyCredit: Lacey Barratt from Lacey Barratt Photography
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A baby screams for air shortly after birth
This picture was voted the overall winner of the competition.
The entries were split in to five categories - Birth, Labour, Maternity, Fresh/postpartum and Breastfeeding.
See all the winning images below.
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A pregnant mum floats in a lakeCredit: Melissa Benzel of Benzel Photography
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A pregnant mum holds her older child as they enjoy some one-on-one time before the new baby comesCredit: Vanessa Mendez of Vanessa Mendez Photography
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A woman is comforted by her partner as she gives birth in a poolCredit: Esther Edith of Esther Edith Photography
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A baby makes its grand entrance in to the worldCredit: Dominique Lamontagne of Dominique Lamontagne Photography
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A mum refuels as her infant has a feed shortly after birthCredit: Christina Benton
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A placenta is fished out of a birthing pool in this stark imageCredit: Veronika Richardson of Fox Valley Birth and Baby
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A mum feeds her baby at a swimming poolCredit: Gabriella Hunt of Gabriella Hunt Photography
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A heavily pregnant woman poses for the cameraCredit: Jen Conway of Jen Conway Photography
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A pregnant woman dozes on her husband's thigh as she awaits the arrival of their babyCredit: Rebecca Coursey of A Wondered Life Photography
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A baby is breastfed after being bornCredit: Deborah Elenter of NEO Photography
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A woman screams in agony as she gives birth to a baby in a poolCredit: Selena Rollason of Brisbane Birth Photography
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This is a mum's eye view of the birthing roomCredit: Laura Wando of Laura Cate Photography
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A new mum holds her baby after its birthCredit: Veronika Richardson of Fox Valley Birth and Baby
