While the occurrence of twin pregnancies has surged by 72% from 1980 to 2018, twins remain a relatively uncommon phenomenon, with approximately 33 out of 1,000 births resulting in twins.
The chance of identical twins is even rarer, averaging three to four sets per 1,000 live births.
For 23-year-old Savannah Combs, the discovery that she was carrying twins brought immense joy. However, the uniqueness did not stop there, both twins were found to have Down syndrome.
Despite the distressing news, Savannah, alongside her husband Justin Ackerman, embraced the uniqueness of their situation.
Facing potential criticism due to Savannah’s illness and the twins’ condition, the couple chose to see the extraordinary nature of their journey as something special. Savannah referred to her children, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, as her “little gems”.
Sharing her postpartum experience on TikTok, Savannah’s videos quickly gained popularity.
In one video, she revealed that she had been advised to terminate her pregnancy due to the perceived challenges her children might face. Defying this suggestion, she opted to give them a chance.
“Every [prenatal] appointment they were alive was a blessing to me”, Savannah expressed. The twins were born prematurely at 29 weeks and had to spend a few weeks in the NICU before coming home.
Classified as mono-di twins, having separate sacs but sharing a placenta, they were initially expected to be identical.
Despite the rarity of having twins and the additional factor of Down syndrome, Savannah emphasized that her daughters are like any other youngsters.
They exhibit emotions, have beating hearts, speak, and perform tasks just like their peers.
Savannah regularly updates TikTok with the twins’ milestones, showcasing their cheerful and spirited personalities. While the children may be a step behind in some aspects, Savannah remains confident in their ability to achieve their goals.
However, not everyone responded positively to Savannah’s story. Facing offensive comments on social media, she confronted critics with grace.
When one person suggested they wouldn’t want such babies, Savannah responded on Facebook, stating that her children were born to loving parents who would care for them no matter what.
She emphasized their beauty and kindness, urging people to share their heartwarming story.