I've had a male ball python that appears to be soaking for the last 3 weeks. I pull him out every few days and check his belly scales. If his scales turn RED not PINK, he gets a big downgrade to his water bowl size. As far as I know: he could be sleeping in the water bowl during the day and out cruising the enclosure at night.
Gravid females can be pretty uncomfortable, if she is: I would just leave her to her own best judgement and check her belly scales periodically for redness.