Just Between Us ...and Science: The Women’s Health Lab

Nearly 300,000 preventable maternal deaths worldwide. Almost 1,500 cases of femicide in Brazil in 2024. Pelvic floor symptoms normalized for generations. Women's health physiotherapy is more necessary than ever — and this conversation explains exactly why.
In this episode, Dr. Patrícia Mota speaks with Dr. Cristine Homsi Jorge — professor at the University of São Paulo (Ribeirão Preto Medical School), founder of ABRAFISM (the Brazilian Association of Physiotherapy in Women's Health), and Editor-in-Chief of the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. With over 20 years dedicated to advancing physiotherapy in women's health, Dr. Cristine shares her journey, the science, and her call to action.
This episode is in Portuguese with English intro and outro.
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/what-no-one-tells-women-about-pelvic-floor-problems-dr-cristine-homsi-jorge-justbetweenusandscience
Takeaways and References: https://femmefocus.beehiiv.com/p/the-pelvic-floor-conversation-we-ve-been-avoiding

Where to find Dr. Cristine Homsi Jorge:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristine_homsi/
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cristine-Homsi
Google Schoolar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Yx3ilW8AAAAJ&hl
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4956-4611
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
In this episode, we cover:
(0:00) Cold open — powerful moments from the conversation
(1:21) Introduction — meet Dr. Cristine Homsi Jorge
(3:24) The conversation begins — Cristine's journey into women's health
(5:38) Her mother's influence — a feminist gynecologist who fought gender barriers
(8:09) Why integral care goes beyond technique
(11:06) Founding ABRAFISM — the Brazilian Association of Physiotherapy in Women's Health
(14:48) International representation — World Physiotherapy and leadership
(17:00) Pelvic health vs. women's health — why they are NOT the same
(20:12) The threat of erasure — why specializing in women's health is NOT exclusion
(23:01) Women's health is more necessary than ever — maternal deaths and gender violence data
(27:52) Pelvic floor dysfunctions — research journey and breaking the taboo
(34:30) What the evidence shows about pelvic floor training and sexual function
(37:13) Public health message — women need to know their pelvic floor anatomy
(41:05) Sexual dysfunction, health literacy, and the "elephant in the room"
(43:52) Women who can't contract their pelvic floor — can they learn?
(47:07) Research results — vaginal palpation, electrostimulation, and education compared
(50:13) Campaign: More Physiotherapists in Maternity Wards(55:02) Brazil's alarming cesarean rates and the role of physiotherapy
(59:25) Legislative achievements — laws in 3 states and a federal bill
(1:02:13) Telerehabilitation — a study with gynecological cancer patients
(1:08:22) Advantages and limitations of pelvic floor telerehabilitation
(1:11:43) Final advice: overcome shame and seek help
(1:12:53) Future plans and a message for the next generation of physiotherapists
(1:18:17) Outro — three takeaways to hold onto
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]
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.

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
In 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 Oslo
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]
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.

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.care⁠
Show notes: ⁠https://podcast.patriciamota.com/episode/how-movement-redefines-pregnancy-dr-rubn-barakat
Where to find Dr. Rubén Barakat:
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruben-Barakat
UPM: https://www.ice.upm.es/we/mes/documentos/cv/2900.pdf
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
In 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠
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.

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