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

The 2016 competition took place in Austin, Texas with photographers from around the world, showcasing their photos.

From the contractions, to the births via C-sections or natural water births, this photos would move you to your core.

Belgian photographer, Marijke Thoen, came first place with her black and white image titled 'underwater birth', showing a baby being delivered using the method.

First place in the labour category was the photo titled 'The Surge,' by Morag Hastings from Vancouver, with an image capturing a woman in the later stages of contractions, holding on to a chair, as she writhes in agony.

A candid shot by Robin Baker from San Diego came first in the delivery category, showing a father help deliver his set of twins in a water birth, with the new mum carrying one newborn in her arms while the second is still beneath the surface of the water.

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See moving photos from the 3 categories in Pulse gallery above.