In this episode of Just Between Us … and Science: The Women’s Health Lab, Dr. Patrícia Mota sits down with Nina Theodorsen, researcher and clinician in women’s and pelvic health, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in pregnancy and postpartum care: exercise, diastasis recti, and fear of movement.Together, they explore how many women are still told to avoid movement during and after pregnancy — often without strong scientific evidence — and how this language can create unnecessary fear and disconnection from the body.Nina shares her journey into women’s health, how clinical experience shaped her research questions, and what current evidence really says about exercising during pregnancy. The conversation highlights why empowering women to move, strengthening rather than avoiding the body, and using precise, compassionate language matters — for both patients and clinicians.This episode is for pregnant and postpartum women, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in evidence-based women’s health.We discuss:Diastasis recti and exercise — what the research actually showsWhy fear of movement still so common in pregnancyHow clinical language shapes women’s confidence and body imageThe role of clinicians in translating research into real careWhy collaboration and high-quality research matter in women’s healthBrought to you by: Eleva.care — Your digital companion for women's health and recovery: https://eleva.careShow notes: https://podcast.patriciamota.com/episode/pregnancy-diastasis-what-we-got-wrong-dr-nina-theodorsenWhere to find Dr. Nina Theodorsen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-margrethe-theodorsen-bb82a625/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niteth/ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nina-TheodorsenUnivertity of Bergen: https://www4.uib.no/en/find-employees/Nina-Margrethe.Tennebekk.TheodorsenWhere to find Patrícia Mota:Eleva Care: https://eleva.care/patimotaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patimota/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_mota_pt_phd/Website: https://patriciamota.comPodcast: https://podcast.patriciamota.comGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.pt/citations?user=fNJsrScAAAAJResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patricia-Mota-4X: https://twitter.com/patimotaIn this episode, we cover:(03:23) Introducing Nina Theodorsen(04:19) Nina’s Path Into Women’s & Pelvic Health(07:04) Political Advocacy in Women’s Health(09:35) Mentorship, Research & Academic Growth(17:18) Research Findings on Diastasis and Exercise(21:54) Fear of Movement in Pregnant Women(26:48) Studying Exercise Effects During Pregnancy(29:56) Challenging Misconceptions About Diastasis(31:16) How Language Shapes Fear and Confidence(34:55) Embracing Body Changes After Pregnancy(38:24) Encouraging Strength Training in Pregnancy(40:41) Why Guidelines on Exercise Need Updating(44:55) Research Quality and Clinical Practice(48:07) Evaluating Evidence as a Clinician(50:57) Evidence-Based Recommendations for Women(52:53) Clinicians as Bridges Between Research & Care(54:15) Addressing Fear and Empowering Movement(55:24) How Clinical Experience Shapes Research(56:37) Future Directions in Women’s Health Research(58:04) Advice for Pregnant Women & Clinicians(59:41) Encouragement for Women in Science(60:29) Upcoming Women’s Health Conference in OsloFor inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@eleva.carePatrícia may be an investor in the companies discussed.Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
In this premiere episode of Just Between Us (and Science): The Women’s Health Lab, host Dr. Patrícia Mota sits down with Dr. Rubén Barakat, professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and one of the world’s leading researchers in maternal exercise science.They explore how movement transforms pregnancy — physically, mentally, and socially — and why collaboration between physiotherapists, exercise professionals, and medical teams is crucial for the future of women’s health.Dr. Barakat shares the story behind the Barakat Model, decades of research on prenatal exercise, and the impact of evidence-based practice on depression, hypertension, macrosomia, and postpartum recovery.This episode challenges myths about rest during pregnancy and reminds us that movement is medicine — when guided by science and empathy.We discuss:Exercise during pregnancy improves both physical and mental health.The Barakat Model promotes collaboration across disciplines.Supervised exercise can reduce prenatal and postpartum depression.Movement helps prevent urinary incontinence and gestational hypertension.Technology can help bring evidence-based health education to more women.Rest is not the solution — movement is medicine.Brought to you by: Eleva.care — Your digital companion for women's health and recovery: https://eleva.careShow notes: https://podcast.patriciamota.com/episode/how-movement-redefines-pregnancy-dr-rubn-barakatWhere to find Dr. Rubén Barakat:ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruben-BarakatUPM: https://www.ice.upm.es/we/mes/documentos/cv/2900.pdfWhere to find Patrícia Mota:Eleva Care: https://eleva.care/patimotaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patimota/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_mota_pt_phd/Website: https://patriciamota.comPodcast: https://podcast.patriciamota.comGoogle Scholar: https://scholar.google.pt/citations?user=fNJsrScAAAAJResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patricia-Mota-4X: https://twitter.com/patimotaIn this episode, we cover:(00:00) Hooks, Intro & Sponsor Message — "Just Between Us (and Science)" (03:43) Introduction & Context — Dr. Patrícia Mota and Dr. Rubén Barakat (07:24) Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Research — Building bridges between professionals (15:20) Exercise Professionals & Physiotherapists — How teamwork improves maternal care (20:57) Evidence-Based Impact — What science says about movement and pregnancy outcomes (27:26) Mental Health & Pregnancy — How exercise protects emotional well-being (35:53) The Barakat Model — A framework for active, safe pregnancies (46:56) Clinical Guidelines — Exercise prescription and recommendations (51:32) Misinformation & Myths — What social media gets wrong about pregnancy (59:28) Technology & Support — How digital tools can empower pregnant women (01:04:24) Practical Advice & Closing Thoughts — Movement as medicine for mothers (01:09:00) Reflections, call to action, and upcoming episodes For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@eleva.carePatrícia may be an investor in the companies discussed.Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Research Report: Pelvic floor muscle function after grade II tears—Surface electromyography test–retest and differences between nulliparous and primiparous This research article explores the reliability of surface electromyography (sEMG) in measuring pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation in women who have experienced a grade II perineal tear during childbirth. The study investigates explicitly the test-retest reliability of sEMG and compares PFM activation between nulliparous (women who have never given birth) and primiparous (women who have given birth once). The authors find that sEMG is reliable for measuring PFM activation in primiparous women with grade II tears. These women have significantly lower PFM activation during rest and maximal voluntary contraction compared to nulliparous women. This suggests that grade II perineal tears can negatively impact PFM function and potentially contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The study highlights the importance of monitoring PFM function in women with perineal tears. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of these tears on PFM activation and the development of PFD. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.25180 #PelvicFloorFunction #PerinealTears #SurfaceEMG #ReliabilityStudy #PFMactivation
Research Report: Test-retest and intrarater reliability of 2-dimensional ultrasound measurements of distance between rectus abdominis in women This research report investigates the reliability of using ultrasound imaging to measure the distance between the rectus abdominis muscles, a condition known as diastasis recti, which is common among pregnant women and those who have recently given birth. The study focused on the consistency of measurements made at different times and by the same examiner. The authors found that ultrasound imaging is a reliable tool for measuring diastasis recti, particularly at rest and during specific abdominal exercises. The reliability is good to very good. The researchers recommend using ultrasound imaging in future studies to assess diastasis recti accurately changes over time. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2012.4115 #DiastasisRecti #UltrasoundReliability #AbdominalMuscles #PostpartumWomen #MeasurementError
Research Report: Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis from late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, and relationship with lumbo-pelvic pain This research paper examines the prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), a condition characterized by the separation of the abdominal muscles, in first-time pregnant women from late pregnancy until six months postpartum. The authors sought to identify potential risk factors associated with DRA and determine if DRA was linked to increased lumbo-pelvic pain. Using a longitudinal observational study with ultrasound assessment, they tracked the prevalence of DRA across four measurement points and analyzed various factors, including age, BMI, weight gain, and exercise levels. While they found a significant decrease in DRA prevalence from late pregnancy to six months postpartum, the study did not reveal any specific risk factors for DRA persistence or a connection between DRA and lumbo-pelvic pain. The authors acknowledge the limitations of their study, including sample size and the focus on primiparous women, and suggest areas for further investigation, such as examining different anatomical structures and extending the follow-up period. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2014.09.002 #DiastasisRectiAbdominis #Prevalence #RiskFactors #Lumbo-PelvicPain #UltrasoundAssessment #Pregnancy #Postpartum
Research Report: The Immediate Effects on Inter-rectus Distance of Abdominal Crunch and Drawing-in Exercises During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period This research report investigates the immediate impact of two joint abdominal exercises, the drawing-in and the abdominal crunch, on inter-rectus distance (IRD) in pregnant and postpartum women. The study, conducted over four time points during pregnancy and postpartum, aimed to determine how these exercises separated the rectus abdominis muscles along the linea alba, a condition known as diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). The researchers used ultrasound imaging to measure IRD at three locations on the linea alba. They found that the abdominal crunch exercise consistently narrowed the IRD, while the drawing-in exercise generally led to a slight widening. The study highlights the contrasting effects of these exercises on IRD and suggests that the abdominal crunch may be more effective in reducing DRA than the drawing-in exercise. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2015.5459 #Pregnancy #Postpartum #AbdominalCrunch #Drawing-in # IRDchanges