Compare the teratogenic risk of preformed vitamin A (retinol) versus provitamin A (beta-carotene) and choose the most accurate counseling message for patients planning pregnancy.

Beta-carotene is more teratogenic than retinol and should be avoided completely, while high-dose retinol supplements are perfectly safe and recommended preconception.

Neither form of vitamin A has any implications for pregnancy because fat-soluble vitamins are not transferred to fetal tissues during the first trimester.

Both preformed vitamin A and beta-carotene are equally teratogenic and must be eliminated entirely from the diet and supplements during preconception.

Preformed vitamin A (retinol) and retinoid medications pose greater teratogenic risk because they are readily stored and can accumulate; beta-carotene (provitamin A) does not carry the same teratogenic risk at normal dietary levels, so counsel limiting preformed vitamin A supplements while dietary beta-carotene sources are safer.