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20 award-winning photos capture the terror and beauty of giving birth during the pandemic

Winner in Best Delivery - chldbirth
Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa/Anne Lucy Fotografia

Note: This post contains graphic images of birth.

Childbirth was already an incredibly difficult and painful process that required strength and tenacity. But the pandemic added an entirely new layer to giving birth in 2020.

While the childbirth photographers that capture these precious moments lost much of their work last year, the images that were captured only emulated the beauty of new life amid so much grief.

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The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IABPB) announced the winners of their annual birth photo competition this month.

The entries from across the globe were judged in five categories: birth details, labor, delivery, postpartum, and Fresh 48 (which documents the first few hours of life).

Read More: 15 award-winning photos that show the terror, beauty, and joy in giving birth

"We are incredibly proud of the entrants of this year's competition because in spite of all we endured in our community in recent months, this contest represents the resistance birth photographers have to overcome unforeseen challenges," Liz Cook, director of the IABPB, said.

"We are proud to present to you a breathtaking body of work that shares life's most powerful moments from 2020."

Here are 20 of this year's winners and honorable mentions.

First place overall

Judge's pick - best overall, childbirth photos
Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Birth Photography

"Daddy's Girls," by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Birth Photography who lives in Canada.

Best in category: birth details

Childbirth photos
Charlene Foertser/Charlene Foerster Fotografie

"The Origin Of Life," by Charlene Foertser of Charlene Foerster Fotografie who lives in Germany.

Best in category: delivery

Winner in Best Delivery - chldbirth
Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa/Anne Lucy Fotografia

"The Greatest Love In The World," by Anne Lucy Silva Barbosa of Anne Lucy Fotografia who lives in Brazil.

Best in category: fresh 48

birth photos
Jami Edgar/Touch of Hart Photography

"Nourish," by Jami Edgar of Touch of Hart Photography who lives in the United States.

Members' choice best in category: delivery

Birth photos
Danny Merz/danny merz | geburtsreportage

"Grace," by Danny Merz of danny merz | geburtsreportage who lives in Germany.

Members' choice best in category: fresh 48

Childbirth photo
Carey Lippert/Carey Lauren Photos & Film

"Nursing A Newborn," by Carey Lippert of Carey Lauren Photos & Films who lives in the United States.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography

"The Strength Within You Is Greater Than Any Storm," by Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography who lives in the United States.

Honorable mention

Childbirth
Nora Dalmasso/Nora Dalmasso Fotografia

"The Miracle of Life In Your Hands," by Nora Dalmasso of Nora Dalmasso Fotografia who lives in Argentina.

Honorable mention

Child Birth
Brittany Knapik/The Birth Story Collective

"You And You And Me," by Brittany Knapik of The Birth Story Collective United States.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Cat Fancote/Capturing Birth

"A Mother's Guidance," by Cat Fancote of Capturing Birth who lives in Australia.

Honorable mention

Child Birth
Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Photography

"Home Birth in a Pandemic," by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography who lives in Canada.

Honorable mention

Child Birth
Kate Kennedy/Kate Kennedy Birth Photography

"Welcome Little Woman," by Kate Kennedy of Kate Kennedy Birth Photography who lives in Australia.

Honorable mention

Child Birth
Kate Kennedy/Kate Kennedy Birth Photography

"Birthing Queen," by Kate Kennedy of Kate Kennedy Birth Photography who lives in Australia.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Lisa Phillips/Lisa Phillips Photography

"Examining Every Detail," by Lisa Phillips of Lisa Phillips Photography who lives in the United States.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Rianna Cross/Birthspoke

"Reborn," by Rianna Cross of Birthspoke who lives in Australia.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Ashley Marston/Ashley Marston Photography

"When Time Stands Still," by Ashley Marston of Ashley Marston Photography who lives in Canada.

Honorable mention

Child Birth
Dana Jacobs/Dana Jacobs Photography

"Of All Our Travels, This Journey Will Be Our Greatest," by Dana Jacobs of Dana Jacobs Photography who lives in the United States.

Honorable mention

birth
Kandyce Wagar/Songbird and Oak Photography

"This Moment 2020," by Kandyce Wagar of Songbird and Oak Photography who lives in Canada.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Laura Brink/Rewild Her

"Erupting into Being," by Laura Brin of Rewild Her who lives in Australia.

Honorable mention

childbirth
Rianna Cross/Birthspoke

"Silent Night," by Rianna Cross of Birthspoke who lives in Australia.

Read the original article on Insider