Which is not a health risk to the fetus when a pregnant woman smokes?

• A. Low birth weight
• B. High birth rate
• C. Premature birth
• D. Birth defects

Answer: (B)

When a pregnant person smokes, the fetus is exposed to substances like nicotine and carbon monoxide that reduce oxygen and blood flow to the developing baby. This can lead to problems with growth and development.

Because of the lowered oxygen and nutrient delivery, common risks include low birth weight, as babies don’t grow as well; premature birth, since the pregnancy can be pushed to an early delivery; and birth defects, which have been linked to smoking in some cases. A higher birth rate is not something that results from smoking—smoking tends to hinder growth rather than promote larger babies. So the option describing a higher birth rate isn’t a health risk to the fetus, while the other listed issues are real risks associated with smoking during pregnancy.