Identify a potential complication of epidural anesthesia.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is a well-documented potential complication of epidural anesthesia. When an epidural is administered, it blocks the transmission of pain signals by affecting the nerve pathways in the lower body. This can also lead to dilation of blood vessels, which may cause a decrease in blood pressure. The hypotension can be significant enough to affect both the mother and the fetus, potentially leading to reduced perfusion and oxygenation to the fetus, which is why monitoring is important during labor.

The other options do not typically relate to complications of epidural anesthesia. Hyperactivity is not associated with the effects of epidurals, as they are used to provide pain relief. Excessive bleeding could be more related to other complications associated with labor and delivery rather than epidural anesthesia specifically. Lastly, an increased fetal heart rate is usually a response to stress or hypoxia rather than a direct result of epidural anesthesia. Therefore, hypotension stands out as the key complication in this context.