These days, I definitely have baby on the brain.  And my Web logs would prove it.  With approximately 12 weeks to go before my third-born makes his or her arrival, I’m kicking into early nesting mode, scouring the Web for all the gidgets and gadgets our newborn will need (okay, more like stuff I want, since we already have everything we’d need…but that’s beside the point). 

Along with cyber-shopping, I’ve spent time online tracking the development of my unborn child, catching up on some pregnancy-focused health and wellness topics (but still eating whatever I crave, because what the heck!), and reading about what I can expect from my two older children once baby arrives. 

And though I’ve done all of this before, there is one major difference between my Web interactions during this pregnancy versus my last, nearly four years ago.  The difference is called the “social Web”, and it’s completely changed the way that I, and many others, are finding, sharing and creating information online.  What was once a one-way quest for information has become a multi-dimensional cyber-conversation. 

These days, my online shopping choices are based more on reviews from other mommies than on product descriptions from manufacturers.  And when I need parenting insights, I rely more heavily on “real life” blogs and bulletin boards than advertiser-driven content engines.  And I’m not alone in my online preferences.

According to the 2009 Women and Social Media Study from iVillage, BlogHer and Compass Partners, “Millenials” (women ages 18-26) and “Generation X” (women ages 27-43) are the largest segments of social media users, representing a powerful audience of moms and other women with major purchasing power.  (Article by MediaPost here.) 

And among the women surveyed, topics that rank high include parenting (70%), pregnancy/ baby (71%) and health/wellness (71%) as key message board topics.  It turns out that some of the richest content on the Web centers around my key personal interests.  Lucky for me!

The good news is, you don’t have to be pregnant, or even female, to enjoy the bounty of information and conversation that is available online.  The social Web is creating targeted, relevant content for virtually any person, with any interest, in any walk of life.  So go ahead and use it to your advantage, and contribute new content for others’ benefit.  (Especially if you have any insight into free-standing baby jumpers, as I’m looking for reviews and deals!)

For more on the topic of Women and social media, check out the full article, titled “Women Look To Online Peers For Product Reviews” by MediaPost here.