It is 01:55 a.m. during your shift as the Emergency Physician in Charge in the Emergency Department.

A 28-year-old woman at 28+3 weeks’ gestation presents with persistent watery vaginal discharge that began earlier in the evening. She reports a sudden gush of fluid followed by continuous leakage and has now developed regular uterine contractions.

Observations are stable.

A sterile speculum examination confirms rupture of the fetal membranes, and the obstetric registrar diagnoses preterm prelabour rupture of membranes. Delivery is considered likely within the next 24 hours.

During the multidisciplinary discussion, the obstetric registrar asks about the evidence supporting the use of antenatal magnesium sulfate.

Which of the following statements is most accurate?