Over the years, more and more women opt to deliver their children by Caesarian section for various reasons. Some want the convenience of knowing when they would deliver, and eliminate the possibility of frantic trips to the emergency room. Some perceive it as the safer option. Some of those who previously gave birth by C-section simply assumes that they can't give birth via vaginal delivery the next time around. And there are also some who simply don't want or fear going through normal delivery.

If you're opting for a C-section, you should know however that babies delivered via elective C-sections run carry up to a fourfold increased risk of breathing problems compared with babies delivered vaginally or by emergency caesarean section.

2,687 infants were delivered by elective caesarean section. Compared with infants intended for vaginal delivery, infants delivered by elective caesarean section were found to have an increased risk of general respiratory problems.

This risk increased the earlier the caesarean was performed. A nearly fourfold increased risk was found at 37 weeks gestation, a threefold increase in risk at 38 weeks gestation, and a doubling of risk in infants delivered at 39 weeks gestation. Adjusting for maternal factors had little effect.

Although it is still unclear why, they believe that hormonal and physiological changes associated with labour are necessary for lungs to mature and that these changes may not be present in infants delivered by elective caesarean section.