Securing Konrad’s future with stem cells

We are both 30 years old. I hold a Master’s degree in Communication and currently stay at home to care for Konrad, while my husband Holger works in the biotech industry for a startup he co-founded.

During my pregnancy, we had several open discussions about why storing stem cells could be a smart way to secure the future for our child and potential future children. Holger already had knowledge of the medical possibilities of stem cells, which sparked these conversations.

From thought to action

It didn’t take long after reading about the medical opportunities offered by stem cell treatments before we ordered the Cellaviva kit and planned how the collection would take place. Our thoughts revolved around the potential of stem cells themselves and how medical science is increasingly recognizing their use in curing various diseases.

We thought it would be smart to have it as a kind of “future insurance policy” in case Konrad, ourselves, or one of his future siblings ever became ill.

The Birth and Collection

It is late May 2023, and I have long since passed my due date. I remember the days as warm and heavy, and my body and mind as impatient. On Monday, May 29, 12 days past my due date, I was induced.

Holger and I drove to Hvidovre Hospital. I was measured, weighed, and examined. They listened to Konrad’s heartbeat, and everything looked fine. I was given Angusta pills, which I was to take at intervals.

I started feeling early contractions on Tuesday night and decided to stop taking the pills. The next morning, I felt fine again, and the contractions had subsided. We went to Hvidovre Hospital, where the doctor told me I was 2-3 centimeters dilated—just enough for her to break my water.

I was given a maternity pad and sent out to find something to eat before labor started.

On our way back to the hospital, the contractions intensified, and we were admitted to a room.

During the night, the contractions became so strong that I couldn’t sleep. I used the breathing techniques I learned in my birthing class and tried to close my eyes, but the contractions came more frequently and with greater intensity. I was offered a “cocktail” of various painkillers, which was perfect and allowed me to fall asleep again.

The next morning, I was examined again and had only dilated to three centimeters. They talked about giving me labor-inducing IV medication, which I agreed to—partly because I had promised myself beforehand to follow the doctors’ recommendations and partly because I didn’t want to prolong the labor unnecessarily.

I was moved to a birthing suite, where I met my midwife and a student midwife who would assist her. They both seemed incredibly kind and competent, which reassured me. Holger stayed in touch with Cellaviva’s emergency line to keep them updated on how far along we were in the labor process.

It was now Wednesday, May 31, heading into the late morning.

I was in the birthing suite and in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, I couldn’t use the birthing pool as I wanted, due to the labor-inducing IV.

I was offered an epidural and accepted it. It was delivered quickly and administered easily into my back. It was probably the best and most effective pain relief I’ve ever received, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pain of labor.

The midwife said she could see that both the baby and I were overexerted, with rising pulse rates for both of us. The midwife and the student discussed this, and a nurse entered with test results taken from me earlier. I had developed a Group B strep infection. “It all makes sense now,” I thought.

The midwife looked at me seriously and recommended an emergency C-section for my and the baby’s safety.

I could feel fear and sadness—it wasn’t how I imagined my labor would unfold. I nodded and said yes while crying.

Holger called Cellaviva to inform them of the dramatic turn of events. This meant that a midwife from Cellaviva needed to arrive within 15 minutes, as the C-section was about to take place.

I was taken to a room with maybe 10-15 people. The atmosphere was light, but I was still crying. A nurse held my hand and comforted me, saying I would meet my son soon.

Everything happened quickly, and I soon heard the cries of baby Konrad.

He was taken to a small table for examination. A nurse took a photo of him with my husband’s phone and showed it to me. He was small, pink, and curled up—just perfect.

He was taken to the neonatal unit for help with breathing, while Holger went with him. I was taken to recovery.

Marie, my midwife from Cellaviva, arrived just in time and collected blood and the umbilical cord. She came with me to recovery and took blood samples from me while we talked. I was still very emotional and cried a lot, but she comforted me and kept reassuring me that Konrad was fine.

We reunited on the maternity ward, where my husband was sitting with our son. Holding Konrad in my arms, I felt his weight and warmth. He fit perfectly, like a natural part of me.