Women are warriors, period – no matter where and how they birthed, whether they had babies or not. What you can do doesn’t make you strong. It results from overcoming obstacles you previously believed you couldn’t.

Women are stronger than we realize, and we learn this the hard way. And when we are able to access that power, we give birth to our children, overcome obstacles, and give birth to ourselves.

If you’re a mom, have a mom, or know a mom, there’s a chance you’re familiar with those vivid and sometimes horrifying stories being swapped back and forth between women about how they gave birth.

These images from 43 skilled birth photographers demonstrate the truly amazing fortitude of women during childbirth.

When you are in labor and attempting to give birth to a kid, holding your partner’s hand feels like such a simple thing. Your connection to one another and the transmission of love and power take place when you hold hands.

The incredible transformative process of mothers.

You can just feel her drawing strength from her husband in this moment.

Reminder that your uterus is mostly muscle. Fueling your body during labor is the same as fueling your body during exercise.

Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see. It is just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly, you got this, keep going.

That contraction! So much power from that largest, strongest muscle we call the uterus.

Still in awe of this momma and the way she brought her baby into the world.

In a moment like this life is perfectly complete.

They don’t call it labor for nothing’ Moms put in that work, showing their labor of love to meet their tiny humans.

Look at the bump during a contraction. You can see how the uterus goes hard.

The birth space. Support, strength, presence.

Raise your hand if just by seeing this picture you can feel it!

Watching the look of determination come across her face as she pushed her baby into the world was priceless. She knew what needed to be done and she did it without question.

Some women give birth to children…but we all give birth to ideas, creativity, community, businesses, schools, and more. The possibilities are endless and I love that about us. What are you birthing these days?⁠

Mothers are moulded in the fires and experiences of childbirth. When we respect birth as a transformative experience we will learn to no longer fear it.

The power in her face says it all!

That wave is a strong one. Another powerful wave closer to meeting baby.

All that you were waiting for….. Such a wondered capture!

Sometimes laboring makes you feel like you are loosing the battle, but you always end up winning the war.

“Labor of Love. It’s a process. The pain is progress. This pain has purpose. For a reason, I’m pushing. Hard things can be done by my body. My driving force is my mindset. After a short break, get back to work. Labor. It is designed to be work and is work. I am a strong mom. I was made to accomplish this by God.”

Her body was expanding at this time, preparing to welcome new life into the world. When not disturbed, the body is simply amazing. You can see in this picture how hard she worked to meet her baby.