Question: Im 39 years old. I am 32 weeks pregnant with first baby.

Just come home from a two-day stay in hospital. Thought baby was on its way but turned out to be severe constipation. Have been taking prescribed medication which appears to be working. However, I am still getting very tight skin at bottom of stomach/pubic area and I'm carrying very low.

I feel baby is taking up so much room inside me that I can't walk properly. I'm in so much discomfort, I'm just wondering if this is normal and how I can reduce/ease the pain. I can't seem to walk without hunching over and taking weight of my bump in my hands. I'm breathless most of the time and find sitting for long periods uncomfortable but can't walk or do much exercise at all. Baby is very active, sometimes protrudes uncomfortably but I believe this is normal. I have no stretch marks, I'm fairly slight in build and height. Scan done the other day showed baby is absolutely fine but is larger than textbook.

Up until two weeks ago my pregnancy was progressing normally with no problems or complications until this occurred. I am now off sick from work, my maternity starts in two weeks' time. Normally, before pregnancy, I was never an exercise freak but I was always mobile and capable of anything a normally fit and healthy 39-year-old would be.