Pregnancy sonograms seem to be the norm these days. Most of your friends who have been pregnant in the past decade have probably posted their sonogram images on Facebook along with excited claims of it being the "baby's first picture." Many women use the sonogram to find out the sex of the baby before delivery, but there are eight other ways that the pregnancy sonogram can provide you with peace of mind during your pregnancy.

Way #1: It Can Show You There Are No Major Physical Abnormalities

A pregnancy sonogram can look for considerable physical abnormalities. As the Zika virus has sparked fears among pregnant women, you may ask your doctor to check for signs of microcephaly during the sonogram that's performed towards the end of the second trimester or the beginning of the third one. Microcephaly, a condition where the baby's head is significantly smaller than normal, has been associated with the Zika virus.

Way #2: It Can Rule Out a Multiple Pregnancy

When you have an ultrasound at ten weeks or later, you will likely be able to tell whether you are having twins, triplets, or other multiples. If you are concerned about high risk pregnancy, this can be especially important. If it turns out that you are carrying multiples, the ultrasound can let you know the number of fetuses that you're carrying.

Way #3: It Can Date Your Pregnancy

A sonogram can better help you determine the gestational age of the fetus. For women who may be concerned about the date when they got pregnant or when their due date is going to be, this can be of great interest.

Way #4: It Can Determine Where the Fetus is Located

Women who have had ectopic pregnancies may be scared to get too excited about their potential bundle of joy until they are further along in their pregnancy. As early as the first trimester, the doctor should be able to determine whether you have a model or ectopic pregnancy.

Way #5: It Can Confirm Your Baby's Vitality

The pregnancy sonogram can assess fetal growth as well as detect the fetal heartbeat. It can also allow you to see movement from the fetus. In the third trimester, the doctor will even be able to observe the fetal presentation and any ongoing movements.

Finally, keep in mind that the pregnancy sonogram is not a necessity for most pregnancies. It's really up to you whether you want to have the procedure, but it really can help give you peace of mind as it reveals the above factors of your pregnancy.

For more information, talk with a health clinic near you, such as All Women's Clinic.