Patients undergoing elective C-section will be randomized into two groups. The first group will receive one dose of Betamethasone at least 24 hours before scheduled C-section. The second group will receive placebo.

This is a prospective double blinded randomized clinical trial. Patients will be randomized into two groups. Group A will receive one dose of Betamethasone at least 24 hours before scheduled C-section. Group B will receive placebo. The maternal and neonatal outcomes will be studied in order to assess the effect of Betamethasone on respiratory morbidity of the newborn infant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• women with singleton or multiple gestation,
• between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy (as calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period)

Exclusion Criteria:

• any medical problem that could affect fetal well-being;
• evidence of intrauterine infection,
• oligohydramnios,
• fetal congenital malformations,
• preeclampsia,
• maternal hypertension,
• severe fetal rhesus sensitization,
• antepartum hemorrhage,
• Intrauterine growth restriction
• preterm rupture of membranes
• preterm delivery
• previously received antenatal steroids less than one month ago
• those who decline to participate in the study.