A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg doses of betamethasone (Celestone Soluspan) intramuscularly. The purpose of this pharmacologic treatment is to:

Suppress uterine contractions.

Reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine administration.

Stimulate fetal surfactant production.

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