Gal Gadot shares her battle with ‘massive’ blood clot during pregnancy: All about the condition

Wonder Woman actor Gal Gadot recently shared about her emergency brain surgery earlier this year while pregnant with her fourth child in her eighth month. An MRI revealed the life-threatening blood clot following weeks of debilitating headaches that confined her to bed.
The 39-year-old actor took to Instagram to share the harrowing story as a way of “processing everything” as well as “raise awareness and support others” facing a similar situation.
“This year has been one of profound challenges and deep reflections, and I’ve wrestled with how, or even if, to share a personal story. At the end, I decided to let my heart guide me. Perhaps this is my way of processing everything, of pulling back the curtain on the fragile reality behind the curated moments we share on social media. Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar,” Gal Gadot wrote on Instagram.
Gadot shared how the diagnosis came about in February after she underwent an MRI following weeks of excruciating headaches that made her bed-ridden. “In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live,” she wrote.

Even as the distressing events unfolded, Gadot was waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel – the arrival of her daughter, her fourth child with producer Jaron Varsano. She has three other daughters with Varsano, Alma, Maya, and Daniella.
“We rushed to the hospital, and within hours, I underwent emergency surgery. My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear. Her name, meaning “my light,” wasn’t chosen by chance. Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel,” she shared.

“Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors at @cedarssinai and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back,” the actress wrote.
Gadot highlighted the importance of listening to your body in the post and being aware of such health conditions.
“The journey has taught me so much. First, it’s vital to listen to our bodies and trust what it’s telling us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving,” she wrote.
“Second, awareness matters. I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women in the 30s+ age group are diagnosed with CVT (develop a blood clot in the brain),” she added.

“It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable. While rare, it’s a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it. Sharing this is not meant to frighten anyone but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing,” she wrote.
Here’s all you want to know about

cerebral venous thrombosis

(CVT), the condition Gadot suffered:

What is cerebral venous thrombosis?

Cerebral venous thrombosis or CVT is a serious health condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein in the brain. The clot prevents blood from being drained from the brain, which leads to a pressure build-up in the blood vessels, leading to swelling and bleeding in the brain. In the event of being untreated, it can lead to brain bleeding (hemorrhage), severe brain swelling or stroke.
The blood clot in the cerebral vein can cause pressure which can lead to brain swelling. This can cause debilitating headaches and damage brain tissue in more severe cases.

Symptoms of cerebral venous thrombosis

Severe headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting are some of the common symptoms. In more severe cases, symptoms may include slurred speech, trouble understanding others, one-sided body numbness, weakness, and decreased alertness. Fainting, limited mobility in parts of your body, seizures, coma or death can also happen in extreme cases.
CVT is more common in women than men. Birth control, hormone replacement therapy, dehydration, ear, face, or neck infection, protein deficiencies, head trauma or injury, obesity, cancer, tumor, and brain surgery are common risk factors.
Pregnancy and other blood clotting disorders are among less common risk factors and can make blood clot more easily, affecting proper blood flow throughout the body and the brain.