Model Elsie Hewitt, who is expecting her first child with comedian Pete Davidson, is drawing attention to the realities of pregnancy with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). In recent Instagram updates, the 29-year-old shared that she has been in “absolute agony 24/7” since early pregnancy—an experience many in the hEDS community know too well (including other celebs!)

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"Hey! I just wanted to say thank you because I have literally received hundreds of messages from women with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who have been pregnant or are pregnant or who have gone through what I'm going through right now with my chronic pain in my back. There are so many symptoms and things that I didn't realize can be attributed to Ehlers-Danlos."

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Elsie Hewitt’s Relationship With Pete Davidson and the Pregnancy Journey So Far

Elsie Hewitt and Pete Davidson began dating earlier this year, and their relationship quickly drew public attention. Known for being open about his own health challenges, Davidson has kept the couple’s pregnancy largely private, while Hewitt has chosen to share more candid updates with her followers. The pair announced they were expecting their first child in July, revealing the news with lighthearted photos and jokes about “now everyone knows we had sex.”

Before conceiving, Hewitt had undergone excision surgery to treat her endometriosis and was actively assessing her fertility, convinced at one point that she might never be able to have children. Her positive pregnancy test came during a period of bloodwork and ovulation tracking—turning what was meant to be a diagnostic evaluation into an unexpected, joyful surprise.

Despite the excitement surrounding the pregnancy, the experience has been physically overwhelming. From early on, Hewitt reported severe pain that intensified rather than improved with time. In mid-November, she shared that she has “been in pain since the very beginning,” describing symptoms so intense that she sometimes struggles to walk. Davidson has not commented publicly on the day-to-day challenges, but the couple is preparing for their baby amid the medical complexities of hEDS, endometriosis, and pregnancy.

Severe Pain and Unexpected Symptoms

Hewitt explained that her pain has been “getting worse and worse,” at times making it difficult to walk. She has tried exercise, stretching, physical therapy, acupuncture, steroid injections, and energy healing with limited relief.

After asking followers for advice, she received hundreds of messages from women who had been pregnant with hEDS.

Her openness reflects a common challenge: many patients only discover how wide-ranging hEDS symptoms are once pregnancy intensifies them.

“There are so many symptoms I didn’t realize were from Ehlers-Danlos.
I’m learning so much about myself through this experience.”

A Wide Range of Symptoms Can Be Attributed to hEDS

One of the biggest challenges of living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is recognizing just how many symptoms stem from the condition. As Elsie herself shared, “There are so many symptoms and things that I didn’t realize can be attributed to Ehlers-Danlos.” hEDS affects collagen—the body’s primary structural protein—meaning its impact extends far beyond flexible joints. People with hEDS often experience chronic musculoskeletal pain, joint instability, frequent sprains or subluxations, gastrointestinal problems, autonomic dysfunction such as dizziness or tachycardia, and pelvic floor issues that can affect bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Because these symptoms appear across different organ systems, many patients spend years being misdiagnosed or told their symptoms are unrelated.

Pregnancy adds an additional layer of complexity. Hormones like relaxin, progesterone, and estrogen further loosen connective tissue, which can significantly worsen baseline symptoms in hEDS. Patients may experience intensified back or pelvic pain, sacroiliac joint instability, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and an increased risk of falls or ligament strain. Autonomic symptoms—lightheadedness, fainting, heat intolerance, or heart rate fluctuations—frequently become more pronounced. Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, or gastroparesis flares may also escalate during pregnancy. Even labor and the postpartum period pose unique challenges, including rapid or dysfunctional labor patterns, increased risk of tearing, slower wound healing, and postpartum pelvic floor instability.

These wide-ranging effects help explain why many individuals, including Hewitt, are surprised to learn how much of their physical experience can be traced back to hEDS. Her story underscores the importance of receiving care from clinicians who understand the full spectrum of connective tissue–related symptoms—especially during pregnancy, when proactive, multidisciplinary support can make a significant difference in outcomes.

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EDS and Endometriosis

Endometriosis is frequently discussed alongside hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome because the two conditions share many overlapping symptoms, including chronic pelvic pain, heavy or painful periods, and gastrointestinal issues. Studies suggest that 6–23% of people with EDS may also have endometriosis, but shared symptoms—especially chronic pelvic pain—mean the condition is often misdiagnosed or overdiagnosed in hEDS patients. Connective tissue fragility, hormonal fluctuations, and mast cell–related inflammation can all intensify pelvic and menstrual symptoms, making pregnancy particularly challenging for those living with both conditions. For many patients—like Hewitt—this overlap contributes to severe pain, fertility concerns, and the need for coordinated, connective-tissue–informed gynecologic care.

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Why Pregnancy Is Often Harder With hEDS

Hypermobile EDS affects connective tissue throughout the body, leading to joint hypermobility and instability, chronic pain, autonomic dysfunction, GI symptoms, and pelvic floor issues.

During pregnancy, connective tissue can become more loose. Hhormones such as relaxin and progesterone loosen connective tissue even further, amplifying existing symptoms. While some patients report improvement in POTS symptoms, some also report that EDS related symptoms worsen with pregnancy.

Patients commonly experience:

• Back and SI joint pain
• Pelvic girdle instability
• Increased nausea, dizziness, or POTS flares
• Difficulty with mobility
• Rapid or dysfunctional labor patterns

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Why Elsie’s Story Matters

Hewitt’s honesty is helping raise awareness of hEDS, a condition that is still frequently misunderstood. Her experience reflects what many patients face, including a lack of clear guidance during pregnancy, difficulty accessing clinicians who understand connective tissue disorders, the emotional toll of severe and unexplained pain, and the ongoing need for supportive, multidisciplinary care. Her voice is validating thousands of people who navigate similar challenges without public visibility.

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EDS.Clinic Can Help

Many people with hEDS have healthy pregnancies and births with the right team and early planning. Helpful strategies sometimes include maternal-fetal medicine involvement, hypermobile-informed physical therapy, pelvic floor therapy, dysautonomia support, and a birth plan that reduces joint strain.

At The EDS Clinic, our medical team works with pregnant patients across the U.S. who live with hEDS, HSD, endometriosis, POTS, MCAS, and other chronic illnesses. If you're navigating pregnancy with hEDS and need specialized support, we’re here to help.

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