Pregnant at Radford University? Here's What You Should Know
A positive home test in a dorm bathroom is a hard way to get news. If that is where you are right now, the most useful thing you can do is slow down and get the facts. Because sometimes making a big decision in shock prevents us from being able to gather all the information needed to make an informed choice.
Before you read further, here is where we stand.
Valley Women's Clinic is located right off campus in Radford at 1016 Fairfax St. We can offer free pregnancy or abortion consultations, but do not perform or refer for abortions.
A consultation consists of free lab-grade pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, and honest information about all of your options. An ultrasound is important regardless of the option you choose, as it can help to determine the safest next step.
Is a home pregnancy test enough?
Not by itself. Home tests are generally accurate when used correctly, but "correctly" involves specific timing, and stress makes people test at odd hours and read results too fast, or incorrectly.
A medical grade lab test at a clinic confirms the result without the second-guessing.
However, even a confirmed positive leaves the important questions unanswered.
You still can’t be certain how many weeks along you are or whether the pregnancy is viable, and those two facts shape everything that comes next.
Why does an ultrasound matter this early?
Three reasons, and each one is practical, especially if you decide to have an abortion.
Firstly, an ultrasound establishes the gestational age, which determines what options are legally and medically available to you in Virginia.
Secondly, it protects you by showing the pregnancy is in the uterus, otherwise it could be an ectopic pregnancy. This is a medical emergency that no pill or clinic visit will resolve.
Thirdly, it identifies whether the pregnancy is viable.
About 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, often in the first few weeks, and some people find out they didn't have to make the decision they were faced with after all. thought they were.
We provide limited obstetric ultrasound at no charge.
Eligibility criteria apply, and our team will tell you honestly if you are not far enough along for a scan to show anything useful.
Will Radford University find out?
Not from us. We are an independent, licensed, medical clinic and we are not connected to the university. Your visit does not go to the Student Health Center, your RA, your coach, or on your academic record. Nothing is billed to insurance, so there is no explanation of benefits landing at your parents' house either.
What if I'm considering abortion?
You can still come see us, and plenty of students do. We will give you accurate information about the procedures, about Virginia's current gestational limits, and about what to expect physically.
We are direct about our position: we do not provide or refer for abortion. We also will not pressure you or make you sit through a lecture, all of our services are permission based.
Knowing how far along you are is genuinely useful information regardless of what you decide and an ultrasound is important if you want an abortion, to ensure you choose the safest option. You may as well get one free at a clinic that will treat you well and make sure you understand all your choices.
What does it cost, and how fast can I be seen?
Everything we offer is free; pregnancy testing, ultrasound, STI testing, and our consultations cost you nothing, and you do not need insurance.
Appointments are often available the same day. If your schedule is tight, call and we will work around it.
You have more time than it feels like
Right now the pressure is mostly coming from not knowing. Get the test, get the scan, find out where you actually are, and then decide. That order matters.
Call us at (540) 552-5556 or book at valleywomensclinic.org/appointment. We have offices in Radford, Blacksburg, and Wytheville.
