When Houston Dash professional soccer player Ryan Gareis became pregnant, she knew her postpartum athlete recovery would be critical to her ability to return to the National Women’s Soccer League. She was living in Milwaukee with her fiancé, Pat Connaughton, who was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks at the time. With both of their careers rooted in high-level athletics, Ryan wanted prenatal and postpartum support that went far beyond standard pregnancy care. She needed pelvic floor specialists who understood athletic performance, late-pregnancy conditioning, and the demanding timeline of returning to elite sport after birth.
That search led her to Breathe In Motion, where she found the expertise and support she couldn’t find anywhere else.
How We Supported Her Postpartum Athlete Recovery From Pregnancy Through Delivery
At 34 weeks pregnant, Ryan realized she didn’t feel fully prepared for delivery or for the early stages of postpartum recovery. She knew very little about what birth would look like, how healing might feel, or how her athletic performance could be protected during the final stage of pregnancy.
Ryan shared that many places she looked into didn’t feel comfortable guiding an athlete through this process. What stood out to her about working with us was our ability to connect her pregnancy journey to her athletic goals while supporting her with a plan that honored both postpartum recovery and her physical therapy needs.
The Challenges She Faced Heading Into Delivery
Like many first-time mothers, Ryan felt scared and unprepared for birth. She described feeling “absolutely petrified” before she began care with us. She didn’t know how labor would unfold or what recovery would look and feel like. Add to that the pressure of needing to return to elite competition, and the fear became even heavier.
What she needed was a team that could help her:
- Stay strong and safe during the final weeks of pregnancy
- Build a realistic, trustworthy plan for postpartum recovery and return-to-sport
We stepped in to support her through both.
How We Developed an Athlete-Focused Prenatal Plan
From the start, we aimed to give Ryan clarity, confidence, and a path forward. Her plan wasn’t built from a template; it was completely customized to her body’s level of movement, strength, and support as both an expecting mom and a professional athlete.
We focused on:
- Pelvic floor preparation and coordination
- Breathing mechanics and deep core strategies
- Strength, mobility, and Reformer-based work
- At-home exercises she could safely do between sessions
- A clear explanation of what to expect during birth
- Education for both vaginal birth and C-sections
- This helped her stay active up until the day she delivered, something she later said made a noticeable impact on her postpartum strength and confidence.
Preparing Her for Both Vaginal Delivery and an Unexpected C-Section
Birth plans can change quickly, so we always prepare clients for multiple scenarios. This was especially important for Ryan.
When her delivery became an unplanned C-section, she told us she felt grounded instead of panicked. She went in understanding:
- How a C-section affects the core and abdominal wall
- What early healing would feel like
- What movement limitations to expect
- How she would begin rebuilding strength postpartum
Her fear shifted into confidence simply because she had information, strategies, and support ahead of time.
What Her Postpartum Rehabilitation Looked Like With Our Team
Once Ryan was cleared postpartum, she returned as soon as she could, often with her newborn, Crew, who we were always happy to welcome.
Her postpartum rehabilitation included:
- C-section scar mobilization and healing support
- Pelvic floor retraining
- Deep core activation
- Strength and stability progressions
- Breathing, posture, and gait work
- Running, jumping, and agility progressions
- Soccer-specific return-to-play protocols
Each phase was intentional. Our goal wasn’t just to help her heal but to help her move with confidence, rebuild strength safely, and return to the physical demands of elite soccer.
The Outcome: A Strong, Safe, and Fast Return to Professional Soccer
With consistent work and a clear plan in place, Ryan returned to her first full professional match four months postpartum, an extraordinary milestone for any athlete.
Even more inspiring: she exceeded several of her pre-pregnancy performance measures, including:
- Maximum sprint speed
- Jump height
- Power and explosiveness
Ryan expressed that without this level of guidance and support, she doesn’t believe she would have been on the field at four months, let alone six.
In Her Words: Ryan’s Experience with Breathe in Motion
“I credit everything to them. They put me on such a strong foot before having Crew and after. I returned to my first full game at four months postpartum, and I’ve even beaten my max speed and jumping numbers. None of that would’ve happened without Breathe In Motion.”
Why Her Story Matters to Other Athletes and Active Moms
Ryan’s experience highlights something we see every day: with the proper support, pregnancy and postpartum recovery can feel strong, informed, and empowering.
Her journey shows that:
- Pelvic floor support helps at every activity level
- Knowledge reduces fear during pregnancy and delivery
- C-section recovery improves dramatically with the right guidance
- Returning to sport is possible and safe with a structured plan
- Compassionate care supports both the physical and emotional sides of recovery
- Whether someone is returning to competitive athletics or simply wants to move comfortably through daily life, thoughtful pelvic floor care can make a meaningful difference.
We’re Here If You’re Looking for Support
Ryan’s postpartum athlete recovery story is just one example of how personalized pelvic floor care can transform the pregnancy and postpartum experience. If you’re looking for guidance that meets you where you are, whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating recovery, or returning to your favorite activities, our team is here to support you.
Reach out anytime to learn more about how we can help.
