If you are pregnant, and the pregnancy is unplanned, you may be feeling confused, shocked, and scared but try not to let this stop you from seeking help. It is important to face what is happening and seek advice as soon as possible, so all options are open to you.

It is also important to make the right decision for you, and this might not always be the decision your boyfriend or your parents would make. Try and talk it over with someone you trust.

If you can't talk to your boyfriend or parents, you could speak to an older sister or brother, your friends, a teacher, doctor, social worker, school counsellor, your GP or a Connexions Personal Adviser. Whoever you talk to it's important to seek help from organisations that are impartial.

You may think you have no one to turn to but there are plenty of organisations who can offer advice, support and guidance for both teenage mums and dads.

Remember, you are not alone.

There are lots of questions that you may need to talk through with someone…

• How is the life of a teenage mother different to the life of a teenager without any children?
• What is life like for a teenage father who stays with his partner and child?
• What money will I be entitled to?

Connexions Cumbria can advise you and, in some areas, there are projects designed to help and support teenage parents, speak to your personal Adviser to find out what is happening in your area.

Fact or Fiction?

There are a lot of rumours around about the sorts of benefits teenage parents, especially mothers, can get if they have a child. Here are some facts:

1) If you have a child and you're under 18 the council does not automatically have to find you accommodation.

2) There's plenty of free childcare places but no guarantee that you will get one, so going back to school is something you will need to plan for.

3) Being a parent is hard work, especially for teenagers, but help is available if you know where to look. For example, financial support is available from the Learning Skills Council who funds £120 per week for childcare if the parents are to continue studying.

You can also speak confidentially to one of Connexions personal advisers by phoning our free phone number: 0800 435 709