It’s Father’s Day again, and we’re always down to celebrate just how awesome dads are.
So here are 29 ridiculously sweet photos professional birth photographers have captured of dads supporting their partners in the delivery room — and locking eyes with their babies for the very first time.
(BRB, going to grab some tissues.)
1
"This dad had been emotional from the moment the midwife told his partner it was time to push. He supported her through every second of her painful labor — and two epidurals. There was so much anticipation and lead-up to this moment that when the time came, his emotions utterly overwhelmed him in the most precious and authentic way. I can't imagine how much his daughter will love seeing this moment when she's older, knowing just how much her father loves her."
2
"As the pushing phase progressed, this first-time dad grew more and more excited to meet his daughter. As her head started to emerge, he repeatedly covered his face in wonderment and awe. Her first breath certainly took his breath away!"
3
"This dad told me: 'All the action below the curtain and all the peace above it— what a wonderful moment in time. I had no idea my wife was hiring a birth photographer, but after seeing this shot, I'm so glad she did.'"
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4
"This baby's mom had just handed her to her father for some skin-to-skin ... and this sweet girl was clearly absolutely smitten! At less than two hours old, she was raising her head to look straight into his eyes."
5
"This mother had been laboring for about 12 hours at this point and was absolutely exhausted. She was entering into transition, so each contraction was getting even more intense. Mic, the father, leaned in to pull her in close as she came down from the last contraction, wiping her tears from her cheeks. It was truly one of the sweetest moments I've ever captured between a mom and dad."
6
"This couple had decided right after getting married that they would have kids via adoption, not because of any physical constraints, but because that was what was in their hearts. Their first daughter is 2 years old and they adopted her the day she was born. So it came as a huge surprise when they moved to Hawaii and, at the same time, found out they were pregnant! This father was his partner's rock throughout the whole labor, both physically and mentally. When she pulled her baby to her chest, their reactions were so different — but so awesome!"
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7
"This moment! If any couple has really labored together, it was them. Watching them bring their son into the world and meet him for the first time was so moving."
8
"This dad is holding his son for the first time, after waiting for his girlfriend to nurse and to have her time with the baby, skin-to-skin. Even though he was so patient, you could also see he was excited to finally get to hold his baby."
9
"These two dads are just about to meet their son for the first time. They traveled to Canada from Barcelona, Spain, (where surrogacy is illegal) to be there and support the surrogate mama in labor and delivery."
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10
"This dad wanted to make sure no one touched his baby's umbilical cord until it had fully finished its job, so this was one way to guard it against being cut too early! This family knows how to have a good time any place, any time — this wasn't staged at all! (They did use scissors to cut the umbilical cord.)"
11
"There are those moments in life that you know will change you forever. And sometimes in those moments, you just can't keep it together!"
12
"This is the moment that this daddy, who is in the military, got to meet his boy — from oceans away. Sadly, the baby passed away three weeks after he was born, but his parents are always OK with sharing his photos so that his memory lives on."
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13
"It was a long birth for these first-time parents, but the father not only encouraged his partner, he also talked to his baby throughout labor. It was beautiful to witness."
14
"A supportive moment in between contractions. The trust between these two is so obvious. It's one of my favorite photos."
15
"I adore care providers who allow partners to be such important parts of their baby's birth. Allowing dads to have this opportunity — or encouraging them to sit skin-to-skin just after birth helps facilitate an opportunity for instant bonding with their babies."
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16
"This dad was so shocked that the birth of their second baby happened so fast that it took him a few moments to realize what had happened. Even though you know you are about to have a baby, that moment is still so big and shocking!"
17
"As this mama worked through a contraction, her partner was by her side offering his love and support."
18
"This is one of my favorite images. The mom was in recovery after her C-section, so the dad spent some time snuggling and getting to know his baby girl in the quiet of their hospital room as we waited for them to bring her in."
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19
"This was this couple's first girl and their last baby. It was also their first home birth and it just all came together for them. There was so much love in the room. This baby is daddy's little girl for sure."
20
"This is a rainbow birth. This couple had several miscarriages and stillbirths. This mom wrote in a blog post on my site: 'My initial thoughts were: that hurt and I'm glad it's over. Then it hit me, he's here and he's alive. We are bringing a baby home from the hospital! Still seems like such a dream.'"
21
"This mother had been in labor for three days, trying to have a vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC). Her husband, a Dallas police officer, stayed by her side through every single contraction."
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22
"Directly after a C-section delivery, the nurse placed these twin babies in their father's arms for the very first time. There was so much love in the room."
23
"Moments after watching his first child be delivered, this father tearfully gazes at his wife with such love and admiration."
24
"This was the very last push before this couple's 10-pound baby arrived. That look on the dad's face is priceless!"
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25
"I love it when dads do skin-to-skin! This Marine was so gentle and sweet with his newborn son."
26
"This dad is helping his wife through her 'surges' or contractions as they were getting closer to meeting their first child."
27
"This dad snuggles with his girls as they welcome and get to know their new baby brother."
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28
"This particular first-time dad was so fun to watch during labor and then after the birth of his son. He was cracking jokes to try to make his partner smile. When he held his baby, everyone in the room could see him falling in love in a whole new way and making plans for all the fun they would have together in the years to come."
29
"This new dad couldn't stop smiling at his beautiful new daughter. Immediately after birth, the three of them snuggled up together for hours."
Captions have been edited and condensed.