Posted On: July 31, 2025 by Community HealthCare System in: Patient story
When Jackson Heights preschool teacher and first-time mom Randee Holaday found out she was pregnant, she had no idea how transformative the journey would be—not just emotionally, but physically, too.
Living in Holton with her husband Garrett, Randee’s pregnancy came with the typical excitement—and some unexpected discomfort. She began to experience persistent hip and lower back pain, especially while working with her young students at Jackson Heights. But a conversation with her friend—and CHCS physical therapist—Theresa Schraad introduced her to something that would change everything: pelvic floor therapy.
“I honestly didn’t even know pelvic floor therapy was a thing,” Randee said. “Theresa explained how it could help both before and after delivery. I’m so glad I started when I did.”
Randee began therapy at 34 weeks pregnant and attended weekly sessions through the end of her pregnancy. Each visit included gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and techniques to help prepare her body for labor. She also exercised on her own at home for about 15-20 minutes 3 times per week.
“Theresa showed me how to relax and breathe, which was incredibly helpful when the time came to push,” Randee said. “We practiced different positions and exercises, and it made a big difference. Even my doctors, the anesthesiologist, and nurses were amazed at how smoothly my labor went.”
Randee’s labor lasted just 10 hours—a remarkably short time for a first-time mom—and she was only in active labor and pushing for about 45 minutes to an hour. She attributes much of that ease to the preparation she did through pelvic floor therapy.
“Knowing how to breathe properly, relax my muscles, and position my body helped everything go more quickly and smoothly,” she said. “I did not feel overwhelmed. I felt ready.”
After her son Rory’s birth, Randee resumed pelvic floor therapy at six weeks postpartum to support her recovery. Four additional sessions helped ease lingering back pain, improve bladder control, and restore her confidence.
“Theresa helped me understand how my body had changed, but not in a bad way. She showed me how strong and capable I was,” Randee said. “I didn’t experience some of the common issues like leakage, and I felt good about how I was healing.”
Now, Randee is a strong advocate for pelvic floor therapy—not just for first-time moms, but for all expecting and postpartum women.
“I think every mom should consider it—whether it’s your first baby or your third,” she said. “Pregnancy and delivery are hard on your body, no matter how many times you’ve been through it. Pelvic floor therapy helps prepare you, keeps you comfortable, and helps you bounce back faster. It gave me peace of mind, confidence, and a smoother experience all around.”
Randee says she feels incredibly grateful to the CHCS team and especially to Theresa Schraad, who guided her through the journey with care and expertise.
“I truly wouldn’t have known about any of this without her,” she said. “The therapy, the support, the knowledge—it all made such a difference in my birth and recovery experience. I cannot thank the CHCS team enough!”
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