Gal Gadot has revealed that she suffered a blood clot in her brain just before giving birth.
The 39-year-old actress wrote on Instagram that while eight months pregnant with her fourth child in February, she suffered “excruciating headaches” that left her bedridden.
After weeks of pain, an MRI scan revealed that Gadot had cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare blood clot that forms in the outer veins of the brain.
The condition is a form of stroke, which blocks blood flow to the brain and deprives it of oxygen.
Gadot was rushed into emergency surgery to remove the clot, and just hours later she gave birth to her fourth daughter, Ori.
CVST is responsible for one in 100 strokes and is one of the most common clots in pregnant women, who are at increased risk of blood clots because their blood thickens and they are more prone to high blood pressure.
Experts estimate that it affects one in 2,500 to one in 10,000 American women each year.
Gadot urged her 108 million followers not to ignore the signs of a blood clot and said she hopes to raise awareness about CVST.
Gal Gadot, pictured here, revealed she suffered a blood clot in her brain in February while eight months pregnant with her fourth daughter
Gadot underwent emergency surgery for the clot and shortly afterwards gave birth to Ori, pictured here
She wrote: ‘It is so important to identify it early, because it is treatable. Although rare, it is a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step in addressing it.
“This sharing is not meant to scare anyone, but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, then it will have been worth sharing.”
CVST occurs when a blood clot forms in the venous sinuses, a network of veins in the dura mater, the outer layer of the brain.
The venous sinuses normally help drain blood from the brain to the internal jugular vein, which returns blood to the heart.
Like Gadot, most patients suffer from an excruciating headache that worsens over time.
In severe cases, seizures and altered mental status may occur.
Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of CVST, which can be due to changes in the consistency of the blood and veins.
The CDC estimates that pregnant women are five times more likely to develop a blood clot than other groups.
Pregnancy is known to produce hormones that make the blood more susceptible to clots. This prevents blood loss and bleeding during childbirth.
Gadot, pictured here with her husband and four daughters, said she has made a full recovery from the ordeal and is warning other women to look out for the signs
Pregnant women also have a larger blood volume, which makes the blood more likely to clot.
Preeclampsia can also be a risk factor. This is a life-threatening condition in which a pregnant woman’s blood pressure becomes dangerously high. Preeclampsia, which affects an estimated one in 25 women, causes an excess of proteins that control clotting, increasing the risk of blood clots.
While some patients with CVST can be treated with anticoagulant medications, others — as in Gadot’s case — require a surgery called a thrombectomy to remove the clot.
This involves cutting open blocked blood vessels to remove the clot and possibly placing a stent to keep the vessel open.
If this happens to a pregnant woman, the fetus usually only needs to be delivered immediately if it is viable (about 36 to 40 weeks) or if it is in distress. It’s unclear if Gadot’s baby had any complications.
After treatment, patients may experience headaches, vision problems, speech problems and, in rare cases, brain damage due to further problems with blood flow in the brain.
Gadot said she is now completely healed from the ordeal “and is filled with gratitude for the life I have been given back.”
She said: “The trip has taught me so much. Firstly, it is essential to listen to our body and trust what it tells us.
‘Pain, discomfort or even subtle changes often have a deeper meaning, and being in tune with your body can be lifesaving.’