15 photographs capturing the beauty of giving birth

Yearly awards take place for fifth time

These 15 pictures capturing the moments before, during and after childbirth have been shortlisted for an annual photography competition.

The entries to the 2016 Image of Year Competition by the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP) were judged on technicality, emotionality and composition.

Lyndsay Stradtner, the founder of the IAPBP, said: "I am so thrilled to be able to feature the tremendous talent of our members in the image competition this year.

"I want to thank each and every IAPBP member who entered this year and, of course, the families who agreed to share their beautiful birth moments with the world."

The judging panel included former chatshow host, Ricki Lake, and documentary filmmaker Abby Epstein who directed the film "The Business of Being Born".

This is the fifth time these annual awards have been held.