The twins were born at 34 weeks by emergency C-section. Photo / Facebook, Louise Charlotte Johnson.
The twins were born at 34 weeks by emergency C-section. Photo / Facebook, Louise Charlotte Johnson.
A mother of newborn twins was doubly shocked after giving birth - first, at finding out one of the boys had Down's Syndrome; and then being asked by a doctor if she wanted to hand the disabled baby to social services, she claims.
Louise Johnson, from Telford, Shropshire, was already a mother of three when she fell pregnant in May 2011, reports the Daily Mail.
Louise Johnson, from Telford, Shropshire, was already a mother of three when she fell pregnant with twin boys in May 2011. Photo / Facebook, Louise Charlotte Johnson
Apart from scans revealing one foetus was smaller than the other, there were no indications of any real concern.
However, after they were delivered early - at 34 weeks - by emergency C-section at Shrewsbury Hospital, it soon became clear that although Thomas was healthy, Jacob had Down's.
Johnson was astonished when a doctor asked if she wanted to leave Jacob at the hospital, she claimed.
"When they first asked if I still wanted to take him home, it took a minute to register what I was being asked. I was stunned. It had not crossed my mind for one second that both my twins would not come home," she told the Sun.
"When I look at them, all I see is two beautiful little boys who adore each other and their family," she added.
She has decided to speak out now to raise awareness about Down's, saying she feels blessed to have both boys together - and is particularly concerned that increased screening for the condition could lead to higher termination rates.
Johnson said hospital staff told her that some Down's children are left with social services, and that the doctor apologised for having to ask her.
She said that five years on, "wingman" Thomas is looking out for his brother and helping him with every step on life's journey.
According to Mrs Johnson, one of the doctors asked the new mother if she wanted to leave baby Jacob with social services at the hospital - which left her stunned. Photo / Facebook, Louise Charlotte Johnson
The chances of just one twin having Down's syndrome is one in a million.
It can happen with fraternal twins, which come from two eggs; identical twins are the result of one egg that has split.
Writing on her Facebook page, Johnson said: "Having a child who has got Down's - he's just like me and you. No one should need to be scared."
She continued: "I know I couldn't live without him. If I had known before his birth that Jacob had Down's, there's no way on earth I would have got rid of him. I love him with all my heart."
Johnson already had three children - Anthony, 12, Leah, 10 and Bradley, 9 - when she found out she was expecting the twins. Her eldest son has autism and ADHD.
She split with her then partner during the pregnancy but found new love with Craig, 33, now her husband.
They have also had a child together, called Riley, who is 3, and does not have Down's.
MailOnline has contacted Shrewsbury Hospital for comment.
