Actress Gal Gadot had 'terrifying' blood clot

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has revealed her youngest daughter was born during emergency surgery after a "massive" blood clot was discovered in the actress's brain during pregnancy.

The 39-year-old said she received the "terrifying" diagnosis in her eighth month of pregnancy, in February, after she had suffered weeks of "excruciating" headaches.

"We rushed to the hospital, and within hours, I underwent emergency surgery," she wrote on Instagram.

"My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear."

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

Gadot added that she was now "fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I've been given back".

Ori is her fourth daughter with husband Jaron Varsano.

Writing on Instagram, Gadot said the past year had been "one of profound challenges and deep reflections", and that she had been unsure whether to share details of her health emergency.

"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," she wrote.

"Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar."

She explained: "In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain.

"For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth.

"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 thanked the "extraordinary team" of doctors who did the emergency surgery, and said the "journey has taught me so much".

"First, it's vital to listen to our bodies and trust what it's telling us," she said. "Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving.

"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)."

CVT stands for cerebral venous thrombosis.

"It's so important to identify early because it's treatable," Gadot continued. "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."

A blood clot is rare in pregnancy, but the slowing of blood flow during pregnancy and just after giving birth increases the risk.

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

The study suggested there are a number of factors for the increase, mainly the use of oral contraceptives, but being heavily pregnant or being within six weeks after giving birth are also possible factors (between 5% and 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 a clot travels to the lungs.