Gal Gadot had 'massive blood clot' in brain during pregnancy
Gal Gadot has shared the 'terrifying' health crisis she went through while pregnant with her fourth child.
The Wonder Woman star, 39, outlined the life-threatening process in an Instagram post over the weekend. Having 'endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed' for weeks, she was 'diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain' after having an MRI scan in February, during the eighth month of her pregnancy.
She was rushed to hospital immediately and 'within hours underwent emergency surgery'. Her daughter, Ori, was also born while she was undergoing the procedure, 'during that moment of uncertainty and fear'.
Gal reported that she was 'fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I've been given back', but has not forgotten how shaken the experience left her. '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.
Gal also explained that Ori's name was chosen as a testament to how grateful and relieved she felt: 'Her name, meaning "my light" [in Hebrew], wasn't chosen by chance. Before the surgery, I told [my husband] Jaron [Varsano] that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of the tunnel.
'Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors at @cedarssinai and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery.'
Seeking to raise awareness for brain blood clots during pregnancy, she revealed: 'I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women in the 30s+ age group are diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and develop a blood clot in the brain. 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.'
She also advocated for being attentive to physical symptoms. '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.'
The Snow White actress is mum to three other children with her husband, Jaron: Alma, 13, Maya, seven, and Daniella, three.
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