Elsie Hewitt is pregnant, but it’s complicated – here’s what she’s said about her endometriosis surgery

When Elsie Hewitt announced in July that she was expecting her first child with partner Pete Davidson, the internet went off-script. But behind the scroll, there’s a whole world of pain,  diagnosis and a fertility journey that’s just as wild.

Pain since her teens

“I was 100% convinced I was infertile,” Hewitt shared candidly during an interview with People.

Did Elsie have surgery? Does she have endometriosis?

Yes to both. Hewitt has confirmed she has endometriosis and underwent laparoscopic excision surgery in November last year to remove lesions and address the chronic pain and fertility implications of the condition. 

This surgical step reflects one of the more proactive treatments available for the condition when symptoms are severe. It also shows how conversation around endometriosis is shifting, from silent suffering to visible acknowledgement, especially when a public figure like Hewitt speaks out. She works closely with Endometriosis Foundation of America, to raise awareness of the disease.

Fertility, pregnancy & endometriosis: What are the odds?

Endometriosis is widely known to impact fertility. Estimates vary, but the condition is implicated in up to 30-50% of infertility cases. For Hewitt, the fear that she “wasn’t going to be able to have kids” was real and personal and surgical intervention helped open another path.

Research and clinical experience suggest that excision surgery can improve fertility odds by reducing pelvic inflammation, removing scar tissue and enhancing ovarian and fallopian function, though it is by no means a guarantee. Hewitt’s story highlights that success can come, even when the journey feels uncertain and many-layered.

Pregnancy itself can bring symptomatic relief for some people living with endometriosis. Because the hormones shift (notably showing higher progesterone levels) during pregnancy, many report fewer flare-ups. Hewitt herself says her symptoms got “exponentially better” after surgery and during her pregnancy.

Is endometriosis worse after pregnancy?

The data is mixed. For some people, symptoms remain stable or improve during pregnancy (as we’ve covered above). In other cases, sadly the condition can persist or even worsen postpartum.

For Hewitt, targeted treatment (surgery) and then the hormonal shift of pregnancy has brought relief from symptoms – again highlighting just how specific and personal an endo journey can be.

We’re reading so many stories

Hewitt joins a growing list of celebrities who have shared their endometriosis journeys, helping to destigmatise the condition and raise awareness of fertility implications:

• Actress Florence Pugh has shared her story of endometriosis and PCOS diagnosis, fertility planning and thoughts on reproductive choice – including the decision to freeze her eggs. 

• Singer Halsey has undergone multiple surgeries and spoken candidly about how endometriosis affected her life and fertility.
• Model Alexa Chung revealed her diagnosis in 2019 and has become a vocal advocate for early recognition.
• TV host Padma Lakshmi battled the condition for decades before being properly diagnosed, co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America and has been a fertility and reproductive-health advocate.
• Actress Daisy Ridley has shared her dual diagnosis of endometriosis and PCOS and emphasised the importance of trusting one’s body. 

If we needed reminding, their stories show that endometriosis doesn’t discriminate based on fame, but when public people speak out, the ripple effect matters.

The takeaway

For me, it’s essentially killing the narrative by a thousand cutting, individual experiences. Stories like Elsie Hewitt’s help change the dominant script in a few ways:

1. Visibility for diagnosis: Her decade-long struggle echoes the typical diagnostic delay for endometriosis, which research shows averages between seven and nine years globally.
2. Fertility hope: While endometriosis presents fertility challenges, her pregnancy illustrates that a different outcome is possible, especially with proactive care.
3. Beyond silence: By speaking out, she offers encouragement and solidarity to those still navigating pain, baffling diagnoses and fertility fears: “It’s everywhere […] this unspoken thing where it’s just like ‘I get you, you get me’.”

If you or someone you know is navigating painful periods, fertility concerns or an endometriosis diagnosis, Hewitt’s experience offers practical hope:

• Severe or intrusive pelvic pain is not normal and early assessment matters.
• Surgery (like excision) may be a meaningful step in certain cases, especially when fertility is a concern.
• Pregnancy is not the only “destination”. Life quality, symptom relief and fertility preservation also count as meaningful outcomes.

Speaking out makes a difference. You’re not alone and connecting with support and advocacy communities (for example via the Endometriosis Foundation of America) helps.

Final thoughts

Elsie Hewitt’s journey reframes endometriosis from a silent, debilitating condition to a story of resilience, decisions and hope. Her pregnancy is not just a milestone, it’s part of a broader wellbeing narrative about fertility, treatment, and living fully with a chronic condition. In her voice, others may find courage to ask questions, seek care and hold space for possibilities.

“I feel like I have a duty to do so … this thing is so common and so many people have it.” – Elsie Hewitt

In spotlighting her story, we change the narrative bit by bit. 

Read this next: 6 things an endometriosis specialist wants you to know about your pelvic pain – from diagnosis, to treatment options