Final answer:
True, alcohol consumed by a pregnant woman can indeed reach the fetus as the placenta is permeable to lipid-soluble substances like alcohol causing potential fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the statement that the baby is also drinking alcohol because blood freely passes from the woman's bloodstream into the fetus's bloodstream is True. While it's accurate that maternal and fetal blood cells do not commingle due to the placental barrier, substances such as alcohol can pass through the placenta because it's permeable to lipid-soluble substances. This means that alcohol can enter the fetus's system, leading to a range of possible development issues collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which can include organ and facial malformations as well as cognitive and behavioral disorders.
The risk of FASDs and their severity depend on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, particularly during key stages of fetal development. The most severe form of FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), characterized by distinctive facial features, growth deficits, and neurological problems. Since there is no determined safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, it is strongly recommended to abstain from alcohol while pregnant or trying to conceive.