The actress had a “terrible” blood clot during pregnancy

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has revealed that her youngest daughter was born in emergency surgery after the actress was diagnosed with a “massive” blood clot in her brain during her pregnancy.

The 39-year-old said she was given the “terrifying” diagnosis when she was eight months pregnant in February after suffering from “excruciating” headaches.

“We rushed to the hospital and a few hours later I had emergency surgery,” she wrote on Instagram.

“My daughter Ori was born in that moment of uncertainty and fear.”

The Israeli actress said she chose the name, which means “my light” in Hebrew, because her daughter “will be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel.”

Gadot added that she is now “completely healed and filled with gratitude for the life that has been given back to me.”

Ori is her fourth daughter with husband Jaran Varsana.

Writing on Instagram, Gadot said the past year had been “one of deep challenge and deep reflection” and that she wasn’t sure whether to share details of her health emergency.

“Perhaps this is my way of processing everything, pulling back the curtain on the fragile reality behind the chosen moments we share on social media,” she wrote.

“Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may be going through something similar.”

She explained: “In February, when I was eight months pregnant, I was diagnosed with a large blood clot in my brain.

“For weeks I suffered from excruciating headaches that kept me bedridden until I finally had an MRI which revealed the horrible truth.

“At one point, my family and I were confronted with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted to do was hang on and live.”

She thanked the “extraordinary team” of doctors who performed the emergency surgery and said “the journey has taught me so much”.

“First, it’s vital to listen to your body and trust what it’s telling you,” she said. “Pain, discomfort, or even minor changes often carry a deeper meaning, and tuning in to your body can be lifesaving.

“Secondly, awareness matters. I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women aged 30 and over are diagnosed with CVT (Cerebral Blood Clot Development).”

CVT stands for cerebral venous thrombosis.

“It’s really important to catch it early because it’s treatable,” Gadot continued. “Although such a possibility is rare, knowing that it exists is the first step to solving it.

“Sharing this is not to scare anyone, but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action to protect their health because of this story, it would be worth sharing.”

A blood clot during pregnancy is rare, but slowing of blood flow during pregnancy and immediately after delivery increases the risk.

A 2020 study published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders said that one adult in 100,000 is diagnosed with CVT each year – rising to three per 100,000 among women aged 31 to 50.

The study suggested that there are a number of factors for the increase, mainly the use of oral contraceptives, but pregnancy or within six weeks after childbirth are also possible factors (from 5% to 20% of cases).

Pregnancy also increases the risk of other forms of clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)usually in the legs, and pulmonary embolism, when part of the blood clot travels to the lungs.