Poignant photos capture the process of childbirth (graphic)

These images captured by professional photographers gives an insight into what the birth process is like. It captures the agony of contractions, C-sections and water births.

The intense images, which document every stage of delivery, were entered into the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) 2016 competition.

The award celebrates 'the beauty of birth' and the skill of the photographers in three categories: labour, delivery and postpartum. 

The competition, which is in its fifth year, took place in Austin, Texas and included photographers from around the world.

Belgian photographer Marijke Thoen took first place for her black and white image titled 'underwater birth' (first pic above) showing a baby with curly hair being delivered.

'The Surge,' by Morag Hastings from Vancouver, scooped first place in the labour category for an image which captured a woman in the later stages of contractions, clutching onto a chair while bent over and screaming in agony.

Another candid image was awarded best in the category for delivery, shot by Robin Baker from San Diego, when a father helped to deliver twins in a water birth. The mother is shown clutching one newborn in her arms while the second is still beneath the surface of the water. 

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