A patient in preterm labor at 30 weeks gestation receives two 12-mg doses of betamethasone intramuscularly. The purpose of this pharmacological treatment is to:

Reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine administration.

Suppress uterine contractions.

Maintain adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy.

Stimulate fetal surfactant production and lung maturity.