Final answer:
The administration of IV fluids prior to epidural placement is mainly to prevent maternal hypotension by maintaining fluid balance and ensuring sufficient blood flow during childbirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rationale for administering IV fluids prior to epidural placement is c) Preventing maternal hypotension. Prior to the placement of an epidural, it is common practice to hydrate the mother with intravenous (IV) fluids. This is important because the epidural can lead to vasodilation, which in turn may cause the mother’s blood pressure to drop (hypotension). The administration of IV fluids helps to maintain blood pressure by regulation of fluid balance and ensuring that there is adequate blood flow to both the mother and baby during childbirth. IV fluids like normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution are isotonic, which is crucial to maintain the fluid balance in the mother without causing cellular shrinkage or swelling.
Drops in maternal blood pressure can be dangerous as they might reduce blood flow to the fetus, which can result in fetal distress. Preventing hypotension is therefore essential to safeguard the health of both mother and baby during the delivery process. While the IV fluids help with blood pressure regulation, it’s the hormone oxytocin that is primarily responsible for the contractions during labor.