In our humble opinions, childbirth is one of the more magical experiences the universe has to offer. New life entering the world inspires hope for a brighter future and, even if momentarily, helps us forget about the less-than-stellar parts of adulthood, like politics and deadlines. Yet, far too often, childbirth is something we keep locked up from the outside world as if it’s somehow dirty or wrong. For as much as we love to see cute, snuggly newborns on Instagram, we don’t always appreciate the hours of labor that brought them here. But maybe — just maybe! — getting an inside look into the birthing process could change that. Enter the beautiful world of childbirth photography, in which professionals capture the grittiest, rawest, and most remarkable moments during labor and delivery.
If it sounds like we’re your eighth-grade sex-ed teachers trying to scare you into abstinence, we’re not. Instead, there’s so much childbirth photography can teach people about the utter beauty of birth, whether it happens unmedicated in a bathtub or an operating room during a cesarean section (C-section).
“Birth photography is such an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to mothers processing their birth stories,” Lauren Jolly, Winston-Salem Birth Photographer, tells SheKnows over email. “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.” Jolly adds that “normalizing birth for women in our society is so important.”
Ahead, we’ve compiled some of the most captivating images that show what childbirth really looks like.
A version of this article was originally published in October 2016.
The Look of Amazement
“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.
A Healing Experience
“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!”
Time Slows Down
“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.
A Moment of Elation
“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.”
Sibling Bonding
“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!”
The Supportive Daughter
Jolly also captured this photo of a mom in active labor. Her eldest daughter joined her in the tub during active labor for support.
A Brief Moment of Repose
“Mothers are warriors,” Jolly says. “I love this image of this dad as he supported his wife through labor – birth stories are love stories.”
A Mother’s Determination
“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.”
A Grand Entrance
“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.”
Lean on Me
Leahy captured this quiet moment between a laboring mother and her partner.
The First Hello
Photographer Ashley Marston captured this incredible moment in which mother and baby gazed upon each other for the first time.
A Show of Strength
A mother pushes through the early and active stages of labor as she anticipates her new arrival in this photo from Ashley Marston Photography.
An Elated Introduction
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.
A Look Into the Operating Room
Cesarean sections make up 32% of all births in the United States, according to the CDC. Here, photographer Liz Jennings captures a special moment between father, child, and mother as a doctor completes the surgery.
The Final Push
A new mother gets a glimpse of her child in this stunning photo from Liz Jennings Photography.
The First Cries
The first sounds from a new child are memorable and magical — and Jennings captured the moment forever.
A Dedicated Doctor
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 its mother’s view.
A Labor Surprise
Labor is often messy and unpredictable — and that’s precisely why it’s so beautiful.
The Perfect Moment
This new mother was all smiles as her baby’s head emerged. Birth Blessings Photography snapped this serene photo at just the right moment.
A True Partnership
Photographer Robin Baker captured the incredible moment this twin mama gave birth to her second child while nuzzling her first.
Twice the Blessings
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.
From Womb to Water
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 captures an infant’s first moments under water.
A Supportive Partner
Water births can also help increase a pregnant parent’s flexibility, allowing more movement and opening in the hips, according to the AAP.
Selfie Break
This dad couldn’t contain his excitement.
The Sweetest Hello
Baby and mother lock eyes for the first time after a C-section in this gorgeous photo from New Creation Birth Photography.
Tears of Joy
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.
The Magical Placenta
The placenta provides fetuses with all of their oxygen and nutrients during throughout pregnancy. While not the prettiest organ, it is vital for healthy development and growth. Here, Breathe Birth Photography captures an image of a placenta still attached to an infant.
A Caul Birth
In extremely rare cases, some babies are born with their amniotic sacs still intact. Breathe Birth Photography captured this breathtaking image of a baby born with the sac lightly covering its head.
An Incredible Introduction
A mother smiles and gently holds her newborn as it takes its first breaths.
New Beginnings
A newborn returns to a fetal position after a water birth in this powerful image from Leilani Rogers.
A Well-Deserved Rest
An infant holds onto its mother after a long journey to the outside world.
A Father’s Joy
A new father lights up as he sees his child for the first time in this breathtaking image from Megan Bowen at Snap Life Photography.
Overwhelmed by Emotion
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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