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If you're looking to adopt, there's a few things you need to do before you race over to your computer to update your status.

Holding, singing and kissing Theo, their newborn son, was a dream come true for his adoptive parents Molly and John Connolly.

"We found and connected with our son by using social media," Molly says.

Soon after the Connolly's posted a website and started a Facebook group expressing their desire to adopt, Theo's then pregnant birth mother saw it and emailed them.

"Our hearts just jumped out of our throats practically," John recalls.

They finalized the arrangements through an adoption agency and the day Theo was born, traveled across the country to meet the little boy and his birth mother at the hospital. Molly says, "She was holding theo and she told him how much she loved him and, she loved him so much that she picked the perfect parents for him and she gave him a kiss and put him in my arms."

Social media sites confirm more people than ever are posting their plight to adopt online--hoping to stand out in a competitive selection process. There are Facebook posts linking to websites with heartfelt pictures, heartbreaking stories of infertility, carefully worded write up's about how they'll parent and if the birth mother can be involved.

Twitter says: 'The terms "adoption" and "baby" have been mentioned on the social media site more than 550,000 times in the past year.'

Adam Pertman, Executive Director of the renowned Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is studying this brand new phenomenon. As more adoption agencies and attorneys suggest prospective parents use social media, Pertman hopes to soon establish some 'best practice standards' for the industry. He says, "We really don't know about all this stuff. It is inventing itself before our eyes."

While posting online may sound like an inexpensive way for a 'do it yourself adoption', the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys warns it should just be part of the process.

Would-be parents should work with an attorney or agency before they post to be sure they are following the laws for each state where they are advertising or finalizing the adoption. There's also adoption scams and experts can help weed those out.

Attorney Deborah Steincolor is with the Academy. She says, "The risk involved is that both the birth parents and the prospective adoptive parents are vulnerable and they don't necessarily know the laws or how they can proceed once they connect."

The Connolly's say the risk was worth it. They actually still use facebook to keep in touch with theo's birth mother so she can see pictures as he grows up.

"It changed our lives so I think it's something people should do if they want to start a family this way," Molly says.