Gal Gadot with her fourth child Ori. Photo:
Gal Gadot/instagram

Motherhood changes us in ways we can’t even imagine. It’s beautiful, raw, exhausting, and sometimes, terrifying. As moms, we often put ourselves last—dismissing our own symptoms as “normal” or something that will pass. But when we heard about Gal Gadot’s experience with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) after giving birth, it reminded us how important it is for us to take care of ourselves—because being a mom doesn’t mean ignoring your own health.

Her story hit close to home. It’s a reality check that even when we’re busy caring for our little ones, our own health matters too—and that preventive care and early intervention can save lives.

**Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT)** is a blood clot in the brain’s venous system, blocking drainage and increasing pressure. This can lead to headaches, vision issues, seizures, or stroke.

Even Wonder Woman Isn’t Invincible (What does that mean for the rest of moms?).

At eight months pregnant, Gal Gadot started experiencing excruciating headaches—the kind that make it impossible to function. She knew something felt off, but like so many women, she wasn’t immediately aware of how serious it could be. When the pain didn’t go away, she underwent an MRI—and what doctors found was terrifying.

She was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a rare but life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in the brain. If left untreated, it can lead to stroke or permanent damage. Gal needed emergency surgery to remove the clot—something that could have been fatal if not caught in time.

Her story is proof of something we talk about all the time at Myri: serious complications can happen during pregnancy, and too often, moms aren’t given the information they need to recognize the warning signs. Gal herself admitted she had no idea pregnancy increased the risk of CVT—especially for women over 30. And that’s the problem.

If even Wonder Woman wasn’t spared, what does that mean for the rest of us? It means we need to change the conversation around maternal health. It means we need better education, earlier detection, and a system that actually prioritizes moms—not just babies. Maternal health matters, and knowing the signs can save lives.

Symptoms a Mom Should Never Ignore

Our body gives signals when something isn’t right—and we should not ignore them. While pregnancy and postpartum come with plenty of changes, some symptoms should never be brushed off as “just part of motherhood.”

If any of the following occur, immediate medical evaluation is essential:

🔴 Severe or Persistent Headaches – Could be a sign of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or a blood clot (CVT).

🔴 Sudden Swelling in Your Face, Hands, or Legs – This isn’t just “pregnancy bloating.” Swelling with high blood pressure can indicate preeclampsia.

🔴 Blurred Vision, Seeing Spots, or Sensitivity to Light – These could be neurological symptoms related to preeclampsia or a blood clot in the brain.

🔴 Shortness of Breath or Chest Pain – A red flag for blood clots, heart issues, or postpartum cardiomyopathy.

🔴 Heavy Bleeding That Doesn’t Slow Down – Bright red bleeding, passing large clots, or feeling dizzy could mean postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal death.

🔴 Leg Pain, Redness, or Swelling in One Leg – Could indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism if untreated.

🔴 Extreme Fatigue, Weakness, or Feeling “Off” – More than just being tired—this could be a sign of anemia, heart problems, or even an undiagnosed postpartum complication.

🔴 Intense Sadness, Hopelessness, or Thoughts of Self-Harm – Postpartum depression is real.

So many moms hesitate to call their doctor because they don’t want to seem like they’re overreacting. But listen—you're not overreacting. You are your best advocate, and it’s always better to get checked out than to wait and risk a serious complication. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and reach out.

“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).
It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable, while rare, it’s a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it.”

— Gal Gadot

Pregnancy and Postpartum: When Normal Isn’t Always Normal

As much as pregnancy and postpartum are celebrated, they’re also times of immense physical and emotional change. And sometimes, those changes signal that something isn’t right. Complications like CVT, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum cardiomyopathy don’t always come with obvious symptoms. That’s why it’s critical for moms to know what to look out for.

A few common conditions that can arise during pregnancy or postpartum:

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT)

What it is: A blood clot in the veins of the brain, which can disrupt blood flow and cause swelling or stroke.
Symptoms:

Severe or persistent headache
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Weakness or numbness in one side of the body

Preeclampsia

What it is: High blood pressure that can develop during or after pregnancy, often causing organ damage if untreated.
Symptoms:

Severe headaches
Swelling, especially in the face or hands
Vision changes, like seeing spots
Shortness of breath

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)

What it is: Heavy bleeding after delivery, which can happen within hours, days, or weeks postpartum.
Symptoms:

Bright red bleeding that doesn’t slow down
Feeling dizzy or faint
Weakness or fatigue

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

What it is: A mental health condition that affects emotional well-being after childbirth.
Symptoms:

Intense sadness or hopelessness
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Feeling overwhelmed or like you’re “not enough”

Why Moms Wait to Get Help

We don’t talk about this enough, but moms delay seeking care because:

They’re told it’s normal: How often have you heard, “It’s just part of being a mom”?
They’re overwhelmed: Caring for a newborn doesn’t leave much room for self-care.
They feel dismissed: When moms finally do speak up, they’re sometimes brushed off by healthcare providers.

The result? Many moms suffer in silence, unsure if their symptoms are serious or if they’re just overreacting.

Now That You Know the Why, Here’s the How!

If you’re a mom, you already understand the importance of proactive care—now let’s talk about how to stay ahead of complications.

Moms shouldn’t have to navigate pregnancy and postpartum health challenges alone. That’s why Myri is built to support both moms and providers, ensuring the right care happens at the right time. With advanced tools for symptom tracking, care coordination, and guided support, Myri empowers moms to make informed decisions and helps providers intervene before complications arise.

Here’s how Myri makes it happen:

✅ Symptom Tracking: Log headaches, swelling, or fatigue, and identify patterns early so you can take action before symptoms escalate.

✅ Clear, Straightforward Education: No fluff, no medical jargon—just reliable information to help you recognize warning signs and make confident decisions.

✅ Guided Support: Go to your appointments prepared. Myri provides key questions to ask your doctor so you get the answers and care you need.

✅ Care Coordination: Bridging the gap between moms and providers, Myri ensures that health concerns don’t fall through the cracks—leading to timely interventions and better outcomes.

✅ A Community That Gets It: You’re not alone. Connect with other moms who understand your challenges—because tough journeys feel a little lighter with support.

Gettin the right support is the key—before a concern turns into a crisis.

The Bottom Line

Gal Gadot’s experience is a wake-up call—maternal health needs to be proactive. Pregnancy and postpartum come with real risks, and with the right care, education, and tools, those risks can be prevented from turning into emergencies.

No mom should have to fight to be heard or feel like she’s expected to “push through” when something isn’t right. Myri is always available—for the support, knowledge, and guidance moms deserve.

💛 And if you need answers, Myri and our AI support are here—because moms should not have to figure this out alone.