It’s very common for pregnant women to have a pregnant belly that becomes higher or larger on one side than the other.
The most common cause is baby sitting on one side of the uterus, or pushing an arm or leg towards that side of the uterus. During pregnancy, many babies move into different positions multiple times, spinning between breech, head down, posterior, anterior and transverse. This position can impact on where their body parts push against your uterus, causing your belly to look distended in certain areas.
It’s most common in the morning, when you have a full bladder which will push the uterus up, making the baby’s position more noticeable. It can also happen if you’ve been laying in a position which favors one side, making baby move towards that side of your belly.
If you’re ever concerned by a bump, lump, pain or unusual pregnancy symptom, you should always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional who knows your complete health history.
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.