Gal Gadot’s doctors dismissed her pregnancy migraines—but the shocking truth proves why moms must speak up

When Gal Gadot went to her doctors with persistent, severe headaches during pregnancy, she was told it was likely just migraines caused by hormones. But the truth? It was something far more dangerous—something that could have cost both her life and her baby’s.

In a candid interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Gadot opened up about her terrifying experience with a brain clot while pregnant. “I had major headaches for three weeks, and I’d seen doctors and different neurologists,” she shared. “They told me, ‘It’s probably migraines. It’s the hormones.’” 

But the pain was relentless, and it took the insistence of her mother for her to finally get an MRI—one that revealed the life-threatening truth: she had cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare but serious condition where a clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses, blocking blood drainage and potentially leading to a stroke.

CVST is particularly dangerous in pregnancy because hormonal changes increase the risk of clotting, and symptoms—such as headaches, vision problems, and nausea—can easily be mistaken for routine pregnancy discomforts. “They found out this horrible thing, and we were rushed to the hospital,” Gadot said. Doctors performed an emergency delivery and took swift action to prevent further complications, ultimately saving both of their lives.

Related: Viral tweet highlights the maddening ways women’s health concerns are dismissed by doctors

Her experience underscores a troubling reality: many severe pregnancy symptoms are too often dismissed. Conditions like preeclampsia (which causes high blood pressure and organ damage), HELLP syndrome (a life-threatening liver disorder), and placental abruption (when the placenta detaches too early) frequently go overlooked because their early warning signs—headaches, swelling, pain—are brushed off as normal pregnancy woes. Gadot’s story is a stark reminder that moms must speak up, trust their instincts, and demand the care they need.

Related: Gal Gadot shares her daughters’ reactions to finding out she was pregnant

Now, Gadot is using her experience to remind moms to trust their instincts. “You’ve gotta advocate for your health,” she urged. “Our bodies are always communicating with us. We just need to listen and get checked.”

Her story is a powerful reminder that women’s pain is often dismissed, particularly in pregnancy. Research shows that pregnant women’s health concerns are frequently minimized, with life-threatening conditions misdiagnosed or overlooked. Gadot’s experience is one of many, and her willingness to speak out may help other women push for the medical attention they deserve.

Thankfully, she received the urgent care she needed and is now healthy, with a thriving baby. But her message is clear: “Love yourself, check yourself, and be on top of your health.” Moms, trust your gut—it could save your life.

Sources:

1. Sinus in pregnancy. Brain Circulation. 2022. “Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in pregnancy and puerperium: A comprehensive review.”
2. Health-related concerns of pregnant women. National Academies Press. 2000. “Health-Related Outcomes for Children, Pregnant Women, and Newborns – Health Insurance is a Family Matter.”