While most of the conditions seen by Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) will not be inherently related to pathology of fetal lung development, a fundamental understanding of this embryologic process is paramount due to the frequency of medically indicated preterm deliveries in their patient population. Due to the heterogeneity of pathologies associated with respiratory distress in the newborn, epidemiology is difficult to assess; however, it is generally acknowledged that respiratory distress remains the most common cause of NICU admission in newborns and a significant contributor to long term morbidity and mortality in infants. Understanding the intricate processes involved in anatomic and physiologic maturation is essential for comprehending normal lung development and potential interventions to support lung maturation in cases of developmental abnormalities.