Pregnancy, Diastasis & What We Got Wrong — Dr. Nina Theodorsen
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 shows
- Why fear of movement still so common in pregnancy
- How clinical language shapes women’s confidence and body image
- The role of clinicians in translating research into real care
- Why collaboration and high-quality research matter in women’s health
Brought to you by: Eleva.care — Your digital companion for women's health and recovery: https://eleva.care
Show notes: https://podcast.patriciamota.com/episode/pregnancy-diastasis-what-we-got-wrong-dr-nina-theodorsen
Where 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-Theodorsen
- Univertity of Bergen: https://www4.uib.no/en/find-employees/Nina-Margrethe.Tennebekk.Theodorsen
Where to find Patrícia Mota:
- Eleva Care: https://eleva.care/patimota
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patimota/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_mota_pt_phd/
- Website: https://patriciamota.com
- Podcast: https://podcast.patriciamota.com
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.pt/citations?user=fNJsrScAAAAJ
- ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patricia-Mota-4
- X: https://twitter.com/patimota
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@eleva.care
Patrícia 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.
