by Melissa Willets posted in Pregnancy

Birth photographer Monet Moutrie thinks all birth photos are beautiful. "Every birth that I attend is profound, and I walk away from each one with images that speak to my heart," she writes in a new post on her website.
That's why it was so difficult for her to select her favorite birth images from 2017. She explains this year was "full of homebirths, birth center births, and hospital births." But no matter where the births took place, Monet says, "I got to document so much love, so much strength, and so much joy."
Like in this first image: Talk about joy.
Scroll through the following photos, all taken by, and selected by Monet, along with her descriptions of what was happening in each image, and where.
My dear friend holds onto her brand new baby boy. Repeat client! Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.

After loss...this moment. Such a beautiful rainbow birth. Birth attended by Gina Gerboth, CPM. 

The joy of meeting your baby brother! Repeat client! 

These high-school sweethearts couldn't contain their joy when their son finally was in their arms. Castle Rock Adventist. 

VBAC at home. No more words needed. Repeat client! Community Roots Midwifery.
I so agree with Monet that no matter how your baby comes into the world...

The breathtaking cesarean birth of Everlie with Dr. Breeden at PSL. 
Whether it's via C-section, or a home water birth...

Beautiful homebirth with Jolene Hamann of Springs...