'People come up to me and ask how long till I'm due - but I'm not pregnant'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A woman has told of how people ask when her baby is due as a result of a debilitating health condition that leaves her looking 'nine months pregnant.' Sarah Mason, 51, has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after being diagnosed 20 years ago.

She says the bloating can often leave her looking like she has a baby bump. The condition which affects the digestive system and can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.. READ MORE: Sexy Fish chef, 42, dies after drinking bottle of Jack Daniels months into his new life in Manchester Sarah, from York, claims strangers have come up to her when shopping and said: "Not long until your baby is due" - leaving her mortified as she's not expecting.

A self-employed cleaner, Sarah's poor health has even meant she has had to reduce her hours and go on universal credit. Mum-of-one Sarah, said: "It's a horrible feeling to feel so bloated all the time - it's not just looking pregnant, it's the constant churning in my stomach." Sarah says her IBS is worsened by stress while she also suffers with osteoarthritis - a degenerative joint disease, in which the tissues in the joint break down over time.

She said: "I recently had a back operation last October where surgeons removed part of my bone from my back to ease the pain." "Initially it helped, but the pain has come back, which then causes me stress which makes my bloating much worse it's a horrible vicious cycle." On March 27, Sarah had a fall while at home and fractured three ribs, which stopped her working and added to her stress.