Twin pregnancies are still quite rare, despite a 72% increase in their likelihood between 1980 and 2018. Twins are born in about 33 out of 1,000 births.
What are the chances of having identical twins? On average, out of 1,000 births, three to four are identical twins. So, once again, it’s not very common.
Savannah Combs, 23 years old, was thrilled to learn that she was expecting twins. She then discovered that both of them had Down syndrome, which is also unusual.
Of course, the news was heartbreaking. Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were aware that due to her condition and the condition of her children, some people would judge them.
But Savannah believes it’s the very thing that makes them so beautiful.
“What they have is very rare, but they are my little gems,” she said.
Savannah, originally from Middleburg, Florida, posted videos of her postpartum journey on TikTok with her children Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, and the videos quickly gained popularity.
In one of her videos, Savannah mentioned that she had been advised to abort her children because they were not expected to survive.
She chose to keep them and give them a chance.
“Every prenatal appointment where they were still alive was a blessing to me,” Savannah explained.
Her partner was away at boot camp when she discovered that both of her twins had Down syndrome.
When Savannah was admitted to the hospital, she was 29 weeks pregnant and gave birth to identical twin girls, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on May 12, 2021.
The twins had to spend a few weeks in the NICU before going home because they were born two months early.
“They are called mono-di twins, which means they had their own sacs but shared the same placenta, which meant they were going to be identical,” she said.
“Mono-di twins as they are, that’s very rare. And then, on top of that, adding Down syndrome, it’s like one in two million.”
According to Savannah, they are like any other young children, despite having a rare condition.
“They have feelings. They have beating hearts. They know how to talk. They know how to do the things you do. They’ll get there,” she said.
“As I said, it might be a step back, but they’re going to do it. I’ve learned that these kids are brave and joyful little things.”
Savannah shares wonderful updates on TikTok as each child continues to achieve their goals.
“I’m going to let them know that they’re just like us and they’ll make it as long as they think they will.”
Nevertheless, some people feel compelled to criticize Savannah and her family. The young mother has had to respond to extremely cruel individuals on social media.
“I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine came out like that, they’d be immediately adopted,” one person wrote to the mother.
However, Savannah had the perfect response, which she posted on Facebook.
“I said, thankfully they weren’t born to you but to me. God knew what He was doing by giving these babies to the right parents who would love them no matter what. Beautiful girls. Anyone who says otherwise is simply cruel. These people are the most precious and kind-hearted! Please share this heartwarming story on Facebook.”
