Final answer:
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm the developing fetus and lead to fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drinking six alcoholic beverages a day or engaging in a single episode of binge drinking during the first trimester of pregnancy can have serious consequences for the developing fetus. Alcohol crosses the placenta and can cause abnormalities in growth and development. Exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which can lead to physical and cognitive impairments in the child. It is recommended that pregnant women abstain from alcohol to ensure the health and well-being of their baby.