Does muscle memory/ flexibility go after c section/epidural/childbirth in general?

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 18:57

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 18:54

I can still do handstands and spilts and etc after years of gymnastics… i don’t do gymnastics and i guess I don’t really need to do them anymore but wondering if c section or just childbirth in general effects muscle memory/flexibility… Would I have to retrain what my body can currently naturally do?

I might be having a planned c section not sure

I don’t do gymnastics anymore. haven’t for years tbh…

OP posts:

Squamata · 03/03/2023 19:00

You won't be doing splits straight after a vaginal birth, ouch :)

C section can mess with your muscles but can be overcome with physio/training if you require it.

Pregnancy and motherhood are bigger issues, a big bump reduces mobility and kids take up a lot of time so it's harder to fit in exercise. On the other hand you spend more time rocking, playing on the floor etc.

greenspaces4peace · 03/03/2023 19:05

read up on the effects of hormones (those stimulated during birth) and joints.
if i remember well the hormones released during labor (and possibly beyond) loosens the ligaments so that the pelvis can expand/stretch during labor.
so following labor you might need to refrain from pushing yourself as your joints will be more relaxed.
c/s of course cuts through several muscle layers and how that heals is individual and genetic.

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:09

Squamata · 03/03/2023 19:00

You won't be doing splits straight after a vaginal birth, ouch :)

C section can mess with your muscles but can be overcome with physio/training if you require it.

Pregnancy and motherhood are bigger issues, a big bump reduces mobility and kids take up a lot of time so it's harder to fit in exercise. On the other hand you spend more time rocking, playing on the floor etc.

Ah I know straight after deffo not especially with a c section and i know time wise with motherhood there’s no time but i’m just wondering in the long run does the muscle memory/flexibility go.

This is going to sound bad so people can judge me …. i’ve tested while still 9 months I can still do handstands/spilts ( i’m not doing this every single day i’ve just tested as a one off) I know it’s not important anymore and I don’t even do gymnastics anymore but i’m just wondering in the long run would i have to retrain does it all go away? especially after c section ?

OP posts:

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:10

greenspaces4peace · 03/03/2023 19:05

read up on the effects of hormones (those stimulated during birth) and joints.
if i remember well the hormones released during labor (and possibly beyond) loosens the ligaments so that the pelvis can expand/stretch during labor.
so following labor you might need to refrain from pushing yourself as your joints will be more relaxed.
c/s of course cuts through several muscle layers and how that heals is individual and genetic.

so basically i’d have to retrain any muscle memory ?

OP posts:

riotlady · 03/03/2023 19:10

C-section had a big impact on my core strength, really struggled to engage those muscles at all and even stuff like sitting straight up from lying flat on my back was hard for quite a while. I would imagine stuff like handstands take even longer!

It did come back though, think you just need to be patient and gentle with yourself

greenspaces4peace · 03/03/2023 19:13

not the muscle memory but the strength of your joints.
you will need to be careful to prevent injury (like knee hyperextension or wrist and elbow). it's the ligaments not the muscles that loosen.

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:14

greenspaces4peace · 03/03/2023 19:13

not the muscle memory but the strength of your joints.
you will need to be careful to prevent injury (like knee hyperextension or wrist and elbow). it's the ligaments not the muscles that loosen.

okay thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:14

riotlady · 03/03/2023 19:10

C-section had a big impact on my core strength, really struggled to engage those muscles at all and even stuff like sitting straight up from lying flat on my back was hard for quite a while. I would imagine stuff like handstands take even longer!

It did come back though, think you just need to be patient and gentle with yourself

Thanks. it’s not important really but I would like to think it would still be there

OP posts:

Mutabiliss · 03/03/2023 19:17

I found my balance was really affected by my c section, I used to have very good balance and it was terrible for a good year or so after. But it's slowly come back, even without regular exercise (don't have time, I'm too tired and it's not a priority anymore).

PleaseJustText · 03/03/2023 19:20

A friend of mine was into yoga and she struggled with balance afterwards. She was happily doing headstands a week before birth but it took several months to get back to being able to do a headstand or many of the complex poses afterwards.

Iwantyourmidnights · 03/03/2023 19:21

I've had 3 c sections and am an experienced yogi. I wouldn't say I've lost any muscle memory or flexibility, but I have lost strength in my core after each one (which in turn has affected balance). It comes back though, I would say I felt back to my usual strength about 6 months after number 2. Currently 3 months in with number 3 and can definitely feel myself getting there.

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:26

Iwantyourmidnights · 03/03/2023 19:21

I've had 3 c sections and am an experienced yogi. I wouldn't say I've lost any muscle memory or flexibility, but I have lost strength in my core after each one (which in turn has affected balance). It comes back though, I would say I felt back to my usual strength about 6 months after number 2. Currently 3 months in with number 3 and can definitely feel myself getting there.

thanks gives me hope!!

OP posts:

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:26

PleaseJustText · 03/03/2023 19:20

A friend of mine was into yoga and she struggled with balance afterwards. She was happily doing headstands a week before birth but it took several months to get back to being able to do a headstand or many of the complex poses afterwards.

ahhhhh :/

OP posts:

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:27

Mutabiliss · 03/03/2023 19:17

I found my balance was really affected by my c section, I used to have very good balance and it was terrible for a good year or so after. But it's slowly come back, even without regular exercise (don't have time, I'm too tired and it's not a priority anymore).

thanks

OP posts:

ThisIsTrifficult · 03/03/2023 19:28

I had a csec for both of my children and I can still do handstands. I'm just as mediocre at them now as I was previously.

Original poster

mrxrsx · 03/03/2023 19:30

ThisIsTrifficult · 03/03/2023 19:28

I had a csec for both of my children and I can still do handstands. I'm just as mediocre at them now as I was previously.

can you do them at the same level pre birth?

OP posts:

ThisIsTrifficult · 03/03/2023 21:53

Yes, I was never amazing at them, just flung my feet up against a wall and I do the same now.
Core strength went but only because you learn to move about without using your core while biggly pregnant and while recovering from csec. With focussed practice this will return. I'm almost 4 years since my last birth and I still have some lazy ab habits. But then I've never tried to deal with it.

mumof1or2 · 03/03/2023 22:52

If you look Chloe Madeley up on Insta I reckon she could give you a definite answer to this.