John Godwin, a star of the popular reality series Duck Dynasty, has shared the emotional news that his daughter recently gave birth to twin girls who required immediate care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
A Premature Arrival and a Rush to Hospital
The 62-year-old revealed on his Duck Call Room podcast, in an episode released on Thursday, January 1, that his daughter Johanna Mata and her partner Cecilio Mata welcomed twin daughters Cassandra and Isabella. The babies arrived earlier than expected, prompting their admission to the NICU for specialised medical attention.
Godwin explained that prior to the birth, Johanna experienced high blood pressure and was hospitalised. She was subsequently placed on a 24-hour watch for preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy condition that can lead to complications for both mother and baby. This necessitated an early surgical delivery.
Recalling the frantic moments, Godwin said he received a call from his daughter at 5:30 in the morning telling him, "Y'all need to get up here, y'all fixin' to have grandkids." He and his wife Paula then made a swift drive to the hospital, arriving in 40 minutes, only to find Johanna had already been taken into the operating room.
The Challenging First Days
Johanna safely gave birth to Cassandra on December 19 at 9:24 a.m., with Isabella following just a few minutes later. The newborns weighed five pounds, six ounces and four pounds, 11 ounces respectively. Despite the successful delivery, the early arrival meant a difficult start.
"She didn't even get to hold them for a day and a half," Godwin recalled, noting that Johanna required magnesium treatment and was "pale for a couple of days." The twins needed support, initially being on CPAP machines, under light blankets, and with feeding tubes as they learned to feed and regulate their breathing.
A Joyous Homecoming
After weeks of anxious waiting and expert care in the NICU, the new parents were finally able to bring their daughters home. On Monday, January 5, Johanna shared the happy news on Instagram, posting a photo of herself and Cecilio holding their babies.
"What. A. Day!!!!" she wrote. "I never thought this is where we would be. Laying in bed at 1 AM, our girls asleep next to us, and never being happier. It has been an emotional roller-coaster and we are so glad to be off of that wild ride and on to better things."
Reflecting on the entire experience, John Godwin told his podcast co-hosts, "They're in the best place they could be right now," expressing his profound joy at becoming a grandfather. He also mused that his grandchildren might call him "Duck," a nickname used by his niece and nephew.
This family celebration comes shortly after fellow Duck Dynasty star Jessica Robertson also became a grandparent when her daughter Priscilla welcomed her first child.
