10/28/2025
Mum of Identical Twins With Down’s Syndrome Says Doctors Offered Her an Abortion Six Times
A mother of identical twin girls with Down’s syndrome says she was offered an abortion six times during her pregnancy — and was even given condolences before her babies were born.
Rachael Prescott, 39, from Oregon, describes her daughters Charlotte and Annette as “one in a million miracles.” The odds of having identical twins with Down’s syndrome are estimated at one in a million.
But Rachael says her pregnancy experience was filled with pressure and negativity. She recalls that doctors repeatedly focused on her babies’ genetic condition rather than their serious heart defects, leaving her heartbroken and confused.
“I Was Offered an Abortion Six Times”
“At my very first prenatal appointment, around eight weeks,” Rachael recalls, “six specialists took turns reviewing my scans and giving the same results. Each of them expressed concern that my babies might have Down’s syndrome — even though it was already clear they both had significant heart defects.
“Instead of focusing on how to manage their heart conditions, the discussions were dominated by genetic testing and the option of termination,” she says. “I wanted to explain how far I was from ever ending my pregnancy — but at that moment, I could only sit in silence.”
Despite Rachael’s excitement about welcoming two more children into her family, doctors continued to raise concerns about the babies’ condition until the day she gave birth.
Rachael and her husband Cody, 32, a trainee pilot, were offered further testing to confirm Down’s syndrome before birth — but they refused, saying they didn’t care about the results.
A Miraculous Birth
The couple’s main concern was the twins’ congenital heart disease. They were told both babies would likely need open-heart surgery soon after delivery.
When the twins were born in 2018, the Prescotts were simply relieved they had survived. Charlotte later underwent open-heart surgery at six months old, while Annette was born without any heart defect.
“Doctors usually recommend a C-section for twins because of the risks,” Rachael explains, “but our prayers were answered — we had a natural birth, and neither baby needed to be rushed to surgery. We were so grateful and relieved.”
Still, she says, many around them assumed the couple must be grieving.
“It was as if everyone expected sadness,” she says. “But we quickly assured them there was no grief in our hearts — only love for our beautiful, breathing, heart-beating baby girls, and their extra chromosomes.”
Embracing Life With “One in a Million” Girls
Rachael, who is also mum to Easton, 6, and Hudson, 4, says her daughters have brought immeasurable joy to the family.
“Our girls are smaller than average and a bit slower to develop,” she admits, “but they’re just like any other one-year-old in so many ways. They wobble around taking their first steps, giggling, exploring every corner of the living room, playing with their big brothers, and cuddling our fluffy dog, Max.”
The proud mother hopes to change perceptions about Down’s syndrome — both among doctors and parents — encouraging others to see the beauty beyond the diagnosis.
“The love we have for our girls goes far beyond any challenge,” Rachael says. “If I could choose again, I would still choose my children exactly as they are.”
