Did you know that the chances of giving birth to twins have increased significantly in recent years? In fact, approximately 33 out of every 1,000 births are twins. And when it comes to identical twins, the odds are even lower, with only about three or four out of every 1,000 births being identical twins. That’s why it’s such a rare and special occurrence.
For 23-year-old Savannah Combs, discovering that she was pregnant with twins brought immense joy. But there was another surprise awaiting her and her husband, Justin Ackerman – both twins had Down syndrome. While some people might judge and criticize her and her babies because of their condition, Savannah sees them as incredibly precious.
“It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” she shared. Savannah, from Middleburg, Florida, decided to document her post-pregnancy journey with her daughters Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman on TikTok, where they quickly gained a loving following.
Sadly, Savannah was told by some that she should consider aborting her babies because they wouldn’t make it. However, she chose to give them a fighting chance and cherished every prenatal appointment as a blessing.
When Savannah learned that both her daughters had Down syndrome, her husband Justin was away at boot camp. At 29 weeks pregnant, she was admitted to the hospital, and on May 12, 2021, she gave birth to identical twin girls. Due to their early arrival, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman had to spend several weeks in the NICU before they could go home.
“They’re called mono di twins, meaning that they had their own sacs, but they shared the same placenta, meaning that they were going to be identical,” Savannah explained. “Mo di twins are already very rare, and then you add Down syndrome on top of it, making it one in 2 million.”
But despite their rare condition, Savannah insists that her daughters are just like any other child. They have feelings, beating hearts, and the ability to learn and grow. Savannah believes in their potential and shares their milestones and updates on TikTok.
“These kids are feisty little things and happy little things,” she said with pride. “They may be a step behind, but they’re going to do it. As long as they put their minds to it, they will get there.”