'I felt like my head was about to explode' - Gal Gadot opens up about life-threatening blood clot on the brain

Israeli actress Gal Gadot, recently in the spotlight for her powerful speech on antisemitism and new film releases, has revealed she experienced a serious health scare after discovering a previously undiagnosed blood clot.

Now fully recovered and grateful to be alive, Gadot opened up on ABC's Good Morning America about the medical crisis she faced late in her fourth pregnancy.

Appearing on the show 'Monday' to promote her upcoming movie Snow White, set to premiere this month, Gadot recounted the events that led up to the discovery of the major blood clot that could have spelled disaster.

“I had major headaches for three weeks while I was eight months pregnant. But really, I couldn't do anything, I was in the dark; I couldn't hear anything,” she told the hosts. “It felt like my head was about to explode."

Gadot had already been examined several times and told the symptoms were due to migraines. Gadot admitted, "I didn't listen to my body,” explaining that it was her mother who was not satisfied with the explanations they were being given and pushed her to get an MRI, according to Ynet News.

"My mom, we talk a million times a day every day, but after three weeks, she told my husband, 'Enough. We need to get her checked, do an MRI,'" Gadot said. "It was like the world was ending."

It was only then that the doctors understood the severity of the situation. 

"Our body always gives us signs,” she said, reflecting on the unrelenting pain she had been in. Gadot followed her mother’s advice and was taken to the hospital for the MRI which revealed the clot in her brain.

"They took the baby out within a couple of hours, and I went to a thrombectomy," she recounted, speaking about the eventful birth of her fourth daughter, which was announced last March.

“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,” the Hollywood actress wrote on social media.

In the post, Gadot explained the significance of her daughter’s name, saying, "My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear. Her name, meaning 'my light,' wasn't chosen by chance," explaining that the birth was like a light at the end of the tunnel for her.

Gadot shared that the condition affects three in 100,000 pregnant women over the age of 30. She hopes that by telling her story, others may recognize the symptoms early while the condition is still treatable.

When asked why she had taken so long to talk about what happened, Gadot explained, "It was quite a recovery. It took me a good few months to get back to myself. Now that I'm here, yes, that's the biggest reason why I talk about it."

Encouraging others to listen to their bodies and pay attention to signals, she urged, "I'm very happy to be alive and so grateful for everything. Just check yourself."