While the likelihood of giving birth to twins increased by 72% between 1980 and 2018, it remains a rare occurrence, with only about 33 out of every 1,000 births resulting in twins.
Occurring in just three or four out of every 1,000 births.
When 23-year-old Savannah Combs learned she was pregnant with twins, she was overjoyed. But then she discovered something even more unique—both babies had Down syndrome. While the news was emotional, Savannah and her husband, Justin Ackerman, were prepared to face the challenges and judgments that might come with their daughters’ condition.
For Savannah, this rarity made her twins even more special
“It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” she told News4JAX.
Savannah, from Middleburg, Florida, began sharing her journey with her twin daughters, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman, on TikTok, where their story quickly resonated with viewers.
In one emotional video, Savannah revealed that some people had urged her to terminate the pregnancy, claiming the twins wouldn’t survive. But she chose to give them a fighting chance. “Every [prenatal] appointment they were alive was a blessing to me,” she said.
While her husband was away at boot camp, Savannah went into early labor at 29 weeks. On May 12, 2021, she welcomed Kennadi and Mckenli, born two months premature. The twins spent several weeks in the NICU before they were healthy enough to come home.
“They’re called mono-di twins, meaning they had their own sacs but shared the same placenta, making them identical,” Savannah explained. “Mono-di twins are already very rare, and when you add Down syndrome, it’s like one in 2 million.”
Despite their unique condition, Savannah says her daughters are just like any other children. “They have feelings, a beating heart, and they know how to communicate. They’ll reach milestones like everyone else—it just might take a little longer,” she shared. “They’re feisty and happy little things.”
As her daughters continue to grow and achieve milestones
Savannah documents their progress on TikTok, offering hope and inspiration to others. “I’m going to teach them they’re just like everyone else and can achieve anything if they put their minds to it,” she said.
However, not everyone has been kind. Savannah has faced criticism and cruel comments on social media. One person even wrote, “I wouldn’t want those babies; if mine came out like that, they’d be put up for adoption.”
Savannah’s response was perfect: “Good thing they weren’t born to you and were born to me. God knew what He was doing by giving these babies to parents who would love them unconditionally.”
Through her resilience and love, Savannah continues to shut down negativity while celebrating her beautiful, rare twins.
