Diastasis Rectus Abdominis- He is even in the details of that
Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA)- occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles stretch and separate beyond its usual attachment to the linea alba (central connective tissue in your core).
Did you know that diastasis recti is also referred to as the “tenting” or “coning” of the belly, in order to make room for the growing baby? Did you know that throughout the Bible, God refers to the “stretching of your tent” when speaking of being fruitful and multiplying. Isaiah 54:2 “Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs...” (this is what He spoke to the Israelites when He was commanding them to have many children in order to replenish their diminishing numbers due to Babylonian captivity).
My mind was blown when I realized this. How absolutely AMAZING is it to recognize that parallel? The physical stretching and filling of tents in regards to bringing forth life and the stretching and “tenting” of a woman’s stomach, in order to GROW life! Like, WOW! God is so intentional with everything that He does and with His creation. So I am speaking to the women here (myself included), do NOT be ashamed of the extra bit of skin, the stretch marks or the tummy that comes with postpartum. The world will always tell you that you need less wrinkles, less fat, more shape, tiny waist, big thighs, plumper lips, firmer skin…need I say more? The list goes on and on (and is always changing)…if we live by the worlds standards, honestly, we’ll never be enough.
Being in the pregnancy/ postpartum fitness niche, I’ve had many Mums share horrific stories of things that family members have said to them in regards to their diastasis recti. I’ve had Mums share horrible things that they’ve said about THEMSELVES, because of their diastasis recti. I’ve had Mums share with me that they literally hide, in their house, avoiding public outings because of the shame they feel with “still looking pregnant”, due to their diastasis recti. Guys, my heart feels heavy when I hear these things, because there is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s quite the opposite, actually- it’s something to be proud of; without the stretching or “tenting” that occurs in your tummy, you would not be able to carry a growing baby. How’s that for a perspective shift? It’s a blessing ladies…
And here’s the thing, even though there’s sacrifice, physically, that comes with baring a child(ren)…When God says “women will be saved through child bearing” 1 Timothy 2:15, I believe an element of that is the “dying of self” that happens because of how easily we (as women) can get caught up in idolatry of self. We so easily get hung up on our appearance and vanity, while our soul looks like trash... Bearing children forces you to go before God and surrender your body to Him, as He uses you as a vessel to bring forth the next generation. Dying to self, and living set apart with purpose, for HIM- actual sanctification ladies…
There is nothing wrong with pursuing a healthy lifestyle and exercising to strengthen your body- that’s you taking care of your physical temple (and I do have practical tips on strengthening your core, during pregnancy and postpartum- maybe I’ll do that in a separate post another time…) However, when we become so fixated on it, so much so that it begins to affect our daily lives and even willingness to carry more children, then we gotta stop and ask God to search our hearts…because I’d venture to say we’re teetering on the fence of idolatry, completely forsaking the daily surrender and sanctification that He calls us to.
All of this to say…yes, your tummy may look different after carrying a baby, but no, your body is not broken. It has simply been stretched and surrendered to the Lord…
Every time thoughts of comparison or being “less than” come to mind, speak truth to yourself, from Scripture. Let the Holy Spirit remind you of how intricately and purposefully God created you, as a woman, with a womb that is able to stretch and grow and bring forth an army of Kingdom warriors for His glory!
Our role is CRUCIAL in the growth of the Kingdom of God. He needs our surrender Mammas…surrender yourself to Him and allow Him to sanctify you through the process of child bearing. It’s worth it. So worth it.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”
Genesis 22:10
“Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”
Deuteronomy 30:9
“Yahweh your God will make you plenteous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Yahweh will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers.”
Psalm 128:3
“Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, In the innermost parts of your housel Your children like olive plants, Around your table.
Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them. God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the seas, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”
Deuteronomy 28:4
“Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your animals, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock.”
Psalm 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.”
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”