Despite a 72% increase in the likelihood of twin pregnancies between 1980 and 2018, they remain relatively rare, occurring in about 33 of every 1,000 births. Identical twins are even less common, with only three to four sets born per 1,000 births.
Savannah Combs, 23, was thrilled to learn she was expecting twins. She then discovered both twins had Down syndrome, a rare occurrence.
Though initially challenging news, Savannah and her husband Justin Ackerman knew they might face judgment due to the condition. However, Savannah sees the uniqueness of her children as their beauty. “It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” she said.
Savannah, from Middleburg, Florida, shared her postpartum journey on TikTok with her daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, gaining widespread attention. In one video, she revealed that she had been advised to terminate her pregnancy because the babies were not expected to survive. She chose to keep them, valuing every prenatal appointment where they were still alive as a blessing.
Her husband was away at boot camp when Savannah learned about the Down syndrome diagnosis. At 29 weeks, she was hospitalized and gave birth to her twins on May 12, 2021. Due to their premature birth, the twins spent several weeks in the NICU.
Savannah explained, “They’re called mono di twins, meaning that they had their own sacs but shared the same placenta, meaning that they were going to be identical. Mo di twins as it is, it’s very rare. And then you throw Down syndrome on top of it, it’s like one in 2 million.”
Despite their condition, Savannah emphasizes that her daughters are just like any other children. “They have feelings. They have a beating heart. They know how to talk. They know how to do things you do. They will get there,” she said. “Like I said, it may be a step behind but they’re going to do it. I’ve learned these kids are feisty little things and happy little things.”
Savannah continues to post heartwarming updates on TikTok as her children reach milestones. She is determined to instill in them that they are just like everyone else and can achieve anything with determination.
However, Savannah and her family face criticism from some individuals on social media. One person wrote, “I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine came out like that, they would be straight up for adoption.” Savannah responded perfectly on Facebook: “I said, good thing they weren’t born to you and were born to me. God knew what he was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them regardless.”