It’s a moment that changes a family, a mother and the world. The moment a new baby enters the world everything changes. The occasion is momentous, and more and more often photographers are embedded in mothers’ birth teams, ready to preserve a family’s history as it happens.

And in the age of the internet, these birth photos don’t always stay with the family. Photographers and parents are choosing to share incredible birth images that are changing the way others see birth.

Here are 10 of our favorite viral birth photos that blow our minds.

1. The viral birth photos that show what life is like in the womb

You don’t see this type of en caul birth photo every day but this photo captures the essence of birth from the baby’s perspective. Brazilian photographer Janaina Oliveira snapped a pic of this special baby boy named Noah, who was born with his amniotic sac intact. Basically, Noah entered the world protected by his bubble.

It’s such a rare occurrence that the photos went viral and Noah, his parents and the photographer will never forget the day. (Photo courtesy Janaina Oliveira)

2. This mom’s viral home birth was a family affair

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Rebecca Burt Photography

This is one unified family! Virginia’s Casey Teller and her daughters made ripples across the internet for capturing a beautiful home birth on camera. But that’s not what makes it special. Teller, surrounded by her five daughters, gave birth at home with her family and her midwife at her side. It’s a touching moment captured on camera and has since gone viral for all the right reasons and won’t be forgotten anytime soon. 

3. The viral photo that captures a mama’s moment of surprise

Surprise! It’s a boy! The birth itself was fairly straightforward; that is, until mom Nancy Ray looked down and realized she had a little boy and not the little girl she was told by doctors she’d be having. Her face says it all; joy, shock and unconditional love. It almost makes you want to keep your next gender reveal party a surprise to everyone—including mom! (Photo courtesy Lauren Jolly)

4. This viral photo shows a mom delivering her own baby by c-section

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Sarah Hill Photograph

Some moms really CAN do it all and Emily Dial is no exception. The midwife decided to deliver her own baby and not only that, but she delivered her own baby via C-section, helping to pull her child out of her body and into the world. She will never forget the moment and neither will the internet as photographer Sarah Hill captured the amazing feat in a series of now viral photographs. 

5. This viral birth photo says everything about the beauty of home birth

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Vanessa Mendez Photography)

A moment this beautiful has to go viral. Forget about the fact this is the most stunning photo we’ve ever seen of a glowing mom and dad after a home birth. There is so much happening here we love. We see a strong mother and an amazing husband right alongside her, captured in their most amazing moment after the birth of their daughter by photographer Vanessa Mendez. It’s powerful and we just can’t get enough of it.

6. This 15 pound baby went viral and broke birth records

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Joy Buckley, Facebook

This mother knew her daughter was going to be big but she didn’t think she would be THIS big. Now mother Joy Buckley is feeling the empathy of moms around the world after a photo went viral of her daughter Harper, who was born at 15 pounds, 5 ounces. Good thing Harper, her third child, was born via C-section and now that it went viral, the birth will be remembered by many for a long time.

7. This viral photo of a woman giving birth in a hall is amazing

mom laying on the hospital floor after delivering her baby
Little Leapling Photography

Well… at least they made it to the hospital. Jes Hogan of Kansas had a childbirth to remember after photos of her delivering her sixth baby—and first son—on the floor of the hospital’s emergency room hallway went viral. Max just couldn’t wait any longer and photographer Tammy from Little Leapling Photography was there to capture the moment. This photo has everything a viral picture should, including an amazing nurse going above and beyond.

10. This viral photo captures baby’s birth excitement

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Laura Shockley Photography)

Judging from the photo, it looks like the baby is happy to be born but the mother was surely rejoicing more after a four-day long labor. Angel Taylor’s epically long childbirth has gone viral due to the amount of time it took to deliver her third baby. Despite the length of time it took, she says she was relaxed for most of it and couldn’t be happier to welcome a healthy baby to the family. Kudos to photographer Laura Shockley who captured the moment that went viral. 

This story was originally published on July 02, 2019. It has been updated.