These award-winning birth photos are BREATH-TAKING

While few of us are enamoured at the prospect of having a camera on hand during labour, the following images prove why it can be a wonderful idea.

Each year, photographers battle it out to win at the prestigious International Association of Professional Birth Photographers awards.

The annual competition always produces an array of incredible images, and the winners of 2017 – which have just been announced – are no different.

Just check out the following five first-place winners:

‘Road to Deliverance’ by Jaydene Freund, of Cradled Creations

‘Determination’ by Katie Mathis, of Katie Mathis Photography

‘Straight from Heaven’ by Natasha Hance, of Birth Unscripted

‘Pieces of me’ by Kourtnie Scholz, of KEDocumentary

‘With A Splash’ by Elizabeth Farnsworth, of Elizabeth Farnsworth Photography

Consider us in awe of mums everywhere!

Do you have a story that you would love to share with MagicMum? Click here and you could be in with a chance of winning €250.