Q. Hey. I'm so scared, because my period should have come this week. I had a cramp but still no period. Does this mean I am pregnant? Or should I wait to see what goes on? And I had some swelling in the breast/nipple type. Is this a a cause of pregnancy? I had a miscarriage earlier on this year around April.
A. Dear Neisha - I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your child through miscarriage. I know you're scared, but you're not alone - I'm here for you, with some answers to your questions. The most accurate way to determine pregnancy is to do a home pregnancy test when your period is at least 7 days overdue. If you do one any earlier, the test won't be able to detect your urine's hCG levels (pregnancy hormone), and your test results will be inaccurate. Regarding your nipple swelling, many symptoms of pregnancy can also be symptoms for ovulation or getting ready to start your period, such as breast tenderness. If you'd like a free pregnancy test, you can contact OptionLine at 1-800-395-4357(HELP) or visit www.optionline.org (IM available). They'll put you in touch with your local pregnancy help center and an experienced consultant to discuss your situation. Your consultant can give you a free, confidential and accurate pregnancy test and refer you to a doctor if you need one to confirm the results. OptionLine's free, 2/47 and ready to listen and help - give them a call! Beth

Q. I want to know the true facts of how to tell if you are pregnant!!!
A. Dear Michelle - Some common symptoms indicating pregnancy are missing your period by 7 days or more, frequent urination, breast tenderness, nausea, and fatigue. If you think you might be pregnant and if your period is over due by at least 7 days, you can get a free pregnancy test by calling OptionLine at 1-800-395-4357(HELP) or visiting www.optionline.org (IM available). They'll put you in touch with your local pregnancy help center and an experienced consultant, who can give you a free, confidential and accurate pregnancy test, and refer you to a doctor if you need one, to confirm the results. OptionLine's free and 24/7 - give them a call! - Beth

Q. I want to know what are the pros about abortion for teenagers?
A. Dear Leana - In the interest of giving accurate information, I can't truthfully say there are any pros as far as abortion is concerned. Even when performed by an experienced abortionist, it carries serious risks to the mother, including hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), sterility (inability to conceive other children), perforation of the uterus, cervix and other major organs, infection, and death. Those who have had abortions typically have an impersonal experience, with personnel they've never met before and will never meet again, little to no encouragement to look at other options, and little or no help offered to help them continue their pregnancies. Teens unintentionally pregnant have had positive experiences when their unique challenges have been met by caring people who want to help keep mother and baby intact. These challenges include continuing their education - college as well, housing if their family has kicked them out, financial assistance, low-cost or free pre- and postnatal care for themselves and their babies, plus much more. All these things are accessible through OptionLine, at 1-800-395-4357(HELP) or www.optionline.org (IM available). They can put a teen in touch with her local pregnancy help center and a caring, experienced consultant to discuss her situation. She can receive a free, confidential and accurate pregnancy test, as well as being told about all the resources available right in her own neighborhood. Their websit also offers a wealth of information about pregnancy, abortion, peer pressure, etc. If you need more information, I recommend you check out their website and/or give them a call. Beth

Q. I think I'm pregnant. I've been having all the signs and I was wondering if you knew any schools for young mothers?? Because my mother told me if I was, I had to drop out of school and take care of the baby, but I know it would be best for me to stay in school.
A. Dear Gabbie - I'm sorry I haven't responded before now. We had power outages due to Hurricane Ike. So your situation may be different now; you may know for certain whether or not you're pregnant. That said, I commend you for your desire to continue your schooling, while I also understand your mother's concern for your little one. If you're still not certain you're pregnant, you can get a free test by calling OptionLine at 1-800-395-4357(HELP) or visiting www.optionline.org (IM available). They'll put you in touch with your local pregnancy help center and an experienced consultant to discuss your situation. Your consultant can give you a free, confidential and accurate pregnancy test and refer you to a doctor if you need one to confirm the results. If the results are positive, she can tell you - your mom, too! - about all the resources that exist right in your own neighborhood, including low-cost or free pre- and postnatal medical care for you and your baby, as well as help with your education. OptionLine's number is free and 24/7, and they're ready to listen and help - give them a call! Beth

Q. Dear Beth - I am five months pregnant but my boyfriend doesn't seem to be interested in helping me throughout my pregnancy. He keeps mentioning to my friends that he wasn't ready for this, but he already has three other kids. Do you think I should talk to him about it? I don't even know what I should say, to make the situation better because it's making me feel very stressed out. I need some advice.
A. Dear Sparkle - I understand your hesitancy, but I think you should speak with your boyfriend about your concerns, knowing beforehand that he's discussed his feelings with others. In order to be the best-prepared you can be to broach the subject with him, I recommend you call OptionLine at 1-800-395-4357(HELP) or visit www.optionline.org (IM available). They'll put you in touch with your local pregnancy help center and an experienced consultant to discuss your situation. Your consultant will be willing to meet with both you and your boyfriend to help you sort through your feelings of doubt about your pregnancy. She can even speak with him alone, in order to give him the chance to say things he might be keeping inside, out of concern for you. Another thing she can do is explain all the resources that exist right in your own neighborhood, such as low-cost or free pre- and postnatal medical care, help with schooling if you're still in H.S. or interested in college, jobs, house-hunting, and much more. Knowing this kind of assistance is available might help him feel better about the pregnancy, and ease your own worries about how you'll take care of everything. OptionLine's number is free and 24/7, and they're ready to listen and help - give them a call! Beth