shivling puja rules.

Q. Does the Shivling have a particular orientation when one places it
in the puja room? I was told by a temple priest that the lingam
should be pointing north. This is what I observed in many temples
too. But last Saturday we had been to a temple where the lingam was
pointing westward. So is there any particular position or is any
position okay?

A. East and the north are the two acceptable orientations for the
base of Shiva ling in any temple as stipulated in Agama Shastra. So
the base Shiva ling is noticed either facing East or North direction
in any temple. While the devotee, who is worshipping Shiva Ling is
facing the East the base of Shiva Ling shall be oriented towards
north dirction. When the disciple is facing north while worshipping,
the base of Shiv Ling shall be oriented towards East. Base here shall
mean the point from where the Abhishek liquid (Water or Panchamrit)
flows out of Shiva Ling.

My question is at home in the personal puja room, i can only face
West. And the shivling projection can point East or North. I felt may
be i can keep the shivling in the direction of North.Than worshipping
this way is it ok. Also one of the shivling i purchased i think at
some ends is not carved correctly, looks like slightly broken. Is it
okay to worship this shivling. Also i wanted to know if ladies except
the 5 days do Abhisekham. Can pregnant ladies also do Abhisekham to
shivling.