A woman is entering the third trimester of pregnancy. Which of the following statements is true?

• A. She is about 10 weeks pregnant (halfway through pregnancy).
• B. Since she is now entering the third trimester, the baby is almost fully developed & she can start drinking alcohol again in moderation.
• C. Now that the fetus is entering the final stage of development, she should avoid all caffeine completely as it becomes a stronger teratogen in the 3rd trimester.
• D. She is about 27 weeks pregnant & should continue to avoid teratogens.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the timeline of pregnancy trimesters: The first trimester covers weeks 1-12, the second trimester weeks 13-26, and the third trimester weeks 27-40.
2. Recognize that entering the third trimester means the woman is approximately 27 weeks pregnant, not 10 weeks, which is early in the first trimester.
3. Know that the fetus is still developing in the third trimester, so avoiding teratogens (substances that can cause birth defects) like alcohol and excessive caffeine remains important.
4. Be aware that no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy, and moderation is not recommended at any stage, including the third trimester.
5. Understand that caffeine should be limited but not necessarily completely avoided; however, it does not become a stronger teratogen specifically in the third trimester.