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.