A 24-year-old pregnant woman asks the nurse if it is safe to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?

A. "Small amounts of alcohol are safe during the second trimester." is incorrect because no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Even small amounts can affect fetal development and increase the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). B. "Alcohol is only harmful in the first trimester." is incorrect because alcohol exposure can be harmful at any stage of pregnancy, not just the first trimester. While organogenesis occurs early, alcohol can still affect fetal growth, brain development, and neurobehavioral outcomes throughout pregnancy. C. "Alcohol should be avoided completely during pregnancy." is correct. The safest recommendation is complete abstinence from alcohol. This approach eliminates the risk of alcohol-related complications and supports optimal fetal development. Health authorities, including the CDC and ACOG, advise that no level of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. D. "Beer is safer than hard liquor while pregnant." is incorrect because all types of alcoholic beverages pose a risk to the developing fetus, regardless of alcohol content or type. There is no safe form of alcohol during pregnancy.