Gal Gadot has opened up about how her youngest daughter was born during emergency surgery after the actress was diagnosed with a ‘massive’ blood clot in her brain.
39-year-old Gadot, whose acting credits range from the Fast and Furious franchise to Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile, said she endured ‘excruciating headaches’ during her fourth pregnancy, resulting in a ‘terrifying’ diagnosis.
In an Instagram post, the Wonder Woman star revealed she’d experienced a year of ‘profound challenges and deep reflections’, admitting she was hesitant whether to share details of her health ordeal with her fans.
“In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain,” Gadot typed to her 108 million followers.
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“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.”
Gadot explained that her daughter was delivered during emergency surgery and that she and her husband Jaron Varsano, 49, had decided to name her Ori.
“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.”
After thanking the medical staff of the Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Hospital, the celeb claimed that she’d learned ‘so much’ during the ordeal.
“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.
“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).”
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (SVST) is a blood clot of a cerebral vein in the brain, reports Healthline.
This pressure can cause intense headaches like the ones Gadot experienced and even damage brain tissue in severe circumstances.
Symptoms also include blurred vision, nausea and vomiting.
Those with more intense cases may experience stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness, one-sided body numbness, and decreased alertness.
Other severe symptoms include fainting, seizures, and limited mobility in parts of your body.
If caught early, it can be treated without life-threatening complications.
In the comments section, Gadot continued to call her youngest child a ‘miracle’ and a ‘constant reminder of resilience, hope, and the strength we carry within’.
“My wish is that we all find our light, experience our own miracles, and continue to advocate for our health and for one another,” she added, wishing the Jewish community a happy Hanukkah.
Ella Scott