Henrik Kristoffersen's wife suffered blood clot after birth: 'Couldn't stand or sit.'

Norwegian alpine skiing star Henrik Kristoffersen and his wife Tonje have shared a personal health struggle, revealing that Tonje developed a blood clot shortly after the birth of their second child.

The couple, who welcomed daughter Linnea in late July, detailed the experience in an interview with VG. Tonje Kristoffersen, 31, initially felt fine after a "very uncomplicated" vaginal birth in Austria, where the family resides due to Kristoffersen's skiing career. However, four days later, she awoke with severe pain, initially mistaking it for afterpains.

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We discussed whether to tell the media or not. We are not looking for sympathy. The reason we are saying it is more because with today's society, Instagram and social media, everything is often presented as joy and games by people who are somewhat known. It becomes a glossy picture, but the world is not always a glossy picture.

"I couldn't stand or sit, and didn't quite know what to do. I just said to Henrik: 'You have to call someone. We need help,'" she recounted. Hospitalized in Salzburg, she was quickly diagnosed with a blood clot in her ovarian vein. Doctors found it a rare complication, especially after an uncomplicated birth.

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It was very uncomplicated. The first birth was very tedious, so this was a joy in comparison.

"I've probably had maximum bad luck. There's nothing I could have done differently, or that could have been done differently," Tonje said. She received immediate treatment with blood thinners. Kristoffersen praised the Salzburg hospital for their swift response.

"I think we had been at the hospital for an hour and a half before they diagnosed what it was and then gave the first injection. I am grateful that they were so skilled in Salzburg," he stated. Tonje added that she did not feel overly afraid during the ordeal, noting a greater concern for her family's well-being.

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I couldn't stand or sit, and didn't quite know what to do. I just said to Henrik: 'You have to call someone. We need help.'

Shortly after, Tonje's CRP levels rose, leading doctors to suspect an infection. She was readmitted and treated with antibiotics as a precaution against sepsis or a uterine infection. In total, Tonje and baby Linnea spent about ten of the baby's first 14 days in the hospital.

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The doctors thought it was very strange because I had had a very uncomplicated, normal vaginal birth. If it happens, it often happens after a C-section or a very long and hard birth. So it was a bit surprising.