44 impressive underwater birth images in 2023 show the mother’s extraordinary strength to overcome all limits

Posted onAUGUST 4, 2023by MOLLYPosted in BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY.

The Birth Becomes You Image Contest has revealed its winners for the best birth photos worldwide for 2023 and they certainly are every bit raw, emotional and compelling. Attracting more than 200 professional birth photographers from around the globe, each entry is inspiring and reminds us how amazing the female body really is.

Each image portrays life-changing moments that could have otherwise been missed in the chaos that is birth, capturing the sometimes confronting yet always heartwarming moments to keep forever. From the waves of contractions to the primal surge, the first cuddle to meeting siblings, these photos show birth in all its brilliant glory.

Broken up into nine categories, each photo shows a different stage of birth. Here are the top five from each category for 2023.

Disclaimer: This collection of birth photos captures the raw and profound moments of childbirth which may elicit strong emotional reactions from some readers. We urge readers who are sensitive towards graphic scenes and bodily fluids to exercise caution while viewing this article.

Between Two Worlds

1st Place: Miracles Unveiled

via Salt City Birth and Newborn Photography

2nd Place: Euphoria

via Morgan Petroski Photography

3rd Place: When a Midwife Gives Birth

via Photo Doula

4th Place: Seconds before first breath

via Rayke Geboortefotografie

5th Place: First Touch

via Windlace Photography

1st Place: I am held

 

2nd Place: Through the Midwife’s Legs

 

3rd Place: Left it all on the field

 

4th Place: The Golden Ratio

 

5th Place: Witness

via Obiektywnie Najpiękniejsze

1st Place: The Lovers After

 

2nd Place: Still in the Chaos

 

3rd Place: That just happened

 

4th Place: Euphoric

 

5th Place: The ultimate act of love

Fluid

1st Place: Leaking Joy

 

2nd Place: The Wombmate

 

3rd Place: This Is Birth

 

4th Place: When the water tells a story

 

5th Place: Three Brothers

via Heidi Daniels :: the DC birth photographer

Negative Space

1st Place: Light In The Dark

2nd Place: Just Hold Me

via Colleen Murtha Photography

3rd Place: I choose to feel the presence of my husband..

via Hanna Russo Birth

4th Place: Tear of Surrender

via Precious 3 Birth Services

5th Place: Stitch by Stitch

via Jessica Miles

Cesarean

1st Place: Miracle number 2

via zenmamalove

2nd Place: The final second before the best surprise ever is revealed.

via Alexandria Mooney Photography

3rd Place: Born Dancing

via TS Lambert Photography

4th Place: Belly Birth Bliss

via P.S. Love, Mommy Doula Services

5th Place: Loving belly birth

via Geburtsfotografie Heidelberg

Surge

1st Place: Moments Before

via Driftwood + Co Saskatoon Birth Photographer

2nd Place: Relief

via Robin Weir Photography

3rd Place: One Last Surge

via Dallas Arthur Birth Stories & Support

4th Place: You push, we will pull!

via Nicole Hamic

5th Place: Shadowlands

via Sweet Clover Photography

New Birth Photographer

1st Place: Relief

via Robin Weir Photography

2nd Place: So Much More

via Claire Dunkley Doula

3rd Place: At Last

via Jamilah Allen Creative

4th Place: All Hands on Deck

via Melanie Lopez Photography

5th Place: Birth is a Family Affair

via Mackenzie Romagni Photography

Experienced Birth Photographers

1st Place: Relax, Soften, Open

via Tampa Birth Photographer

2nd Place: Held

via Ebony Allen-Ankins Photography

3rd Place: Through the Midwife’s Legs

via Dana Jacobs Photography

4th Place: Touch & Water

via Ashley Marston Photography