Dear jujubee007,

Pregnancy can happen when ejaculate or pre-ejaculate gets in the vagina or on the vulva. The only way to be sure if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. You can buy a home pregnancy test at a drug store or take one at a health center. Call 1-800-230-PLAN for a pregnancy test and/or pregnancy options counseling.

It can be scary to take the test, but don't put it off doing it — the longer you wait, the harder it can be to deal with a positive result. If you are pregnant, you have three choices:

• You can choose to have a baby and raise the child.
• You can choose to have a baby and place your child for adoption.
• You can choose to end the pregnancy.

If there is a chance that you will continue the pregnancy, you should begin prenatal care as soon as possible. If you are considering abortion, you should make your decision as soon as possible. Abortion is very safe, but the risks increase the longer a pregnancy goes on.

If you are pregnant, you don't have to go through it alone. Find a person you trust, who can support you and help you get through this. That person could be a parent, a partner, a best friend, a sibling — anyone you feel would be supportive.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.