When Gal Gadot was in her third trimester with her fourth child, she faced a health crisis that led her to advocate for pregnant women to be proactive about their health. The 39-year-old actress, known for roles in blockbuster films, began experiencing debilitating headaches that left her bedridden.
"I was eight months pregnant and it was my fourth baby. This time around I had massive headaches that completely put me down," she shared during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. Gadot recounted the agony she endured, saying, "I was in bed and I couldn’t hear or see anything. I had a hot bottle on my head and was just like this [lays back] all day, 24 hours." As her condition worsened, despite consultations with various doctors who diagnosed her with a nasty migraine, Gadot's mother, Irit Gadot, urged her to insist on further testing, specifically an MRI.
"None of the doctors sent me to get an MRI, even if we asked for it before," she explained. After finally receiving the MRI, the results were alarming. "We were rushed to the hospital. I had a major brain clot," she revealed. In fact, doctors discovered not just one, but three blood clots, measuring as large as 15 centimeters and five centimeters. "It was the first time that I felt what it meant to be scared to death," she said. "And again, had I known better, they could have just put me on blood thinners and done."
Following the discovery of the clots, Gadot underwent an emergency cesarean section that delivered her daughter Ori within two hours. "If I had gone through a spontaneous delivery, I would not have been here," she admitted, reflecting on how precarious her situation was. Ori was born in March 2024, and Gadot now emphasizes the importance of being vigilant about health during pregnancy. She noted, "Three out of 100,000 pregnant women will have a brain clot. But if you feel any symptoms just check yourself. MRI is very easy and there’s no radiation or anything."
This experience weighed heavily on Gadot, leading her to share her journey on social media in December 2024. "This year has been one of profound challenges and deep reflections," she wrote alongside a photo of Ori. "At the end, I decided to let my heart guide me. 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. Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar."
Gadot's personal experience serves as a critical reminder of the importance of patient advocacy, particularly for pregnant women. Her cautionary tale highlights the need to listen to one's body and advocate for health, especially when it comes to alarming symptoms. "Always advocate for your health," she stressed. "Always. Listen to yourself, advocate for your heart. If anything, you just over-checked yourself, right? That’s okay."
Today, Gadot and her husband, film producer Jaron Varsano, are proud parents to four daughters: Alma, 13; Maya, seven; Daniella, three; and Ori, now 13 months. This family's journey through challenges and celebrations underscores the resilience of women and the importance of being proactive about health choices. Gadot's story resonates not only in celebrity circles but also among countless women who seek to ensure their wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond.
