The reason a baby is more likely to have breathing problems from a c-section and not a vaginal birth is because with a c-section, the baby isn't squeezed through the birth canal which means the amniotic fluid in the lungs is not squeezed out.  This means the lungs are a lot wetter and it makes it harder for the baby to breathe.  Because of this, babies delivered by c-section are also at higher risk of respiratory illness in the first few days.

As you could imagine, with a vaginal delivery, there is a lot of compression on the chest wall during passage from contractions.  This helps to aid in removal of the amniotic fluid from the lungs.  With C-section, there is minimal force from contractions and therefore more fluids in the lungs.  Usually isn't a problem if you deliver a healthy term baby.  If sick or even a bit premature with immature lungs, could mean some breathing problems but usually just means a bit of oxygen after birth.

Now this is what I believe so I'm not sure if it is medically right - Apparently when the baby is born vaginally and travels down the birth canal the pressure triggers a reflex helping baby to take their first breath but when baby is born by C-section this doesn't happen so baby may need help to take their first breath. As I said before I am not medically trained so it may be worth asking your midwife.

hey,

I never actually knew about this but i was born via caesarean and i wasnt breathing properly, they had to tap me around abit to get my lungs going, im not sure why tho.