Pregnancy and alcohol: which statement is true?

• A. Small amounts of alcohol are safe during pregnancy.
• B. There is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy; exposure can harm fetal development.
• C. Only beer is harmful during pregnancy.
• D. Alcohol improves fetal development.

Answer: (B)

When a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy, it can affect the developing baby because alcohol crosses the placenta and the fetus has a limited ability to metabolize it. This means there’s no proven safe amount of alcohol for a fetus, and even small amounts can potentially harm growth and brain development, leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other problems. So the statement that there is no safe level and that exposure can harm fetal development is the most accurate. In contrast, saying small amounts are safe, or that only beer is harmful, or that alcohol helps fetal development, isn’t supported by evidence—alcohol is a teratogen and can be harmful in any amount. The safest choice is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.