Main findings:
In this study, the neonatal levels of inflammatory and stress-markers were generally lower, and the levels of growth factors were higher after pre-labour CS compared to after VD or in-labour CS. The differences in biomarkers could not be explained by the higher incidence of PROM before in-labour CS and VD. Accordingly, the data suggests that the labour process has an important physiological effect on the foetal immune system and level of stress, regardless if the delivery ends with caesarean section or vaginal birth.