Cocooned Health

Ep 37. Heatwaves, newborns and pregnancy
Heat, Pregnancy and Preterm Birth: What Does the Evidence Really Tell Us?
Pregnancy during a heatwave can be uncomfortable enough but should pregnant people or parents actually be worried about the heat? There is an immune theory regarding this process and given higher temperatures can mimic infection we delve into this area as a call from parents.
In this episode, we discuss mostly the impact on newborn health. We also briefly touch on the research including the Nature Medicine systematic review and meta-analysis examining how heat exposure affects pregnancy health. Bringing together 198 studies from 66 countries the research provides one of the most comprehensive assessments yet of pregnancy and extreme heat. 
In September's 2026 episodes we speak to one of the researchers behind this study directly - so stay tuned
We unpack what scientists actually mean by a heatwave and why there is no single temperature that defines one. We explore whether it is absolute heat or unusually hot weather for a particular location that matters most, and what the findings mean for pregnant women living in temperate countries such as the UK. We explore practical advice for parents for newborns including 1) what to wear 2) strategies in limited environments 3) why the car can be super dangerous 4) why children are more vulnerable 
A conversation about climate, pregnancy and risk and about communicating emerging evidence in a way that helps pregnant women stay informed without making hot weather another source of anxiety.

Ep 36. A new meningitis vaccine for teenagers? A short recap ... 
A short recap of episode 30: Why the meningitis vaccine is being introduced and why it wasn't previously offered. What strains it covers and what it does not. 
In this episode of Cocooned Health, we’re joined by Dr Eliza Gil, Academic Clinical Lecturer in Infection at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Honorary Clinical Microbiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She breaks down this fascinating topic. Listen to episode 30 for the full episode 

Ep 35. The Midwife Series Episode 4: Analysis - How 100 Midwives Generated A Solution To Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy - “Sometimes It’s The Simplest Thing.”
Part of the 4 part series: 
The Midwife Series Episode 1: Frontline Insights - Midwives On Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy. "It's Our Role To Guide And Support"
The Midwife Series Episode 2: Emergence Of An Idea: What Do Midwives Need And Why? “The Easier It Is To Access, The More Utilised It Will Be”
The Midwife Series Episode 3: Honing And Developing - The Checklist That Could Transform Vaccine Conversations.
The Midwife Series Episode 4: Analysis - How 100 Midwives Generated A Solution To Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy - “Sometimes It’s The Simplest Thing”
In the fourth and final episode of our special Midwife Series, Cocooned Health co-hosts Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott review the results of a survey with over 100 participants. 120 participants started the survey, with 102 participants completing all questions. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics XM with 37 questions. The questions included demographics, communication and confidence, innovative strategies, knowledge base and questions about the Cocooned Health podcast. During this episode co-hosts discuss each question one by one, excluding the podcast questions. They provide insights and analysis of the answers. They give their opinions about how this relates to the podcast groups conducted. It is from here they discuss the future innovative strategies that could be developed.
This episode series was developed with funding support from Pfizer Ltd. Pfizer Ltd had no involvement in the content, production, review, analysis, or editorial decisions relating to this series. Funding was provided through an independent grant to support Cocooned Health's work. All views and content are those of the contributors and Cocooned Health. All other Cocooned Health podcast content is produced independently.
The views expressed by participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their institutions, employers, or affiliated organisations. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your own healthcare professional regarding individual medical care. Midwives were remunerated for their time.
DM us at cocoonedhealthpodcast or email: hello@cocoonedhealth.com

Ep 34. The Midwife Series Episode 3: Honing And Developing – The Checklist That Could Transform Vaccine Conversations.
Part of the 4 part series: 
The Midwife Series Episode 1: Frontline Insights - Midwives On Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy. "It's Our Role To Guide And Support"
The Midwife Series Episode 2: Emergence Of An Idea: What Do Midwives Need And Why? “The Easier It Is To Access, The More Utilised It Will Be”
The Midwife Series Episode 3: Honing And Developing - The Checklist That Could Transform Vaccine Conversations.
The Midwife Series Episode 4: Analysis - How 100 Midwives Generated A Solution To Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy - “Sometimes It’s The Simplest Thing”
In the third episode of our special Midwife Series, Cocooned Health co-hosts Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott are joined by three experienced midwives to further develop the most desired intervention by midwives from our conducted survey of over 100 midwife participants. They build of the previous 2 other podcast conversation refining what is needed. By exploring the nuance of conversations, what is expected of midwives and the limitations we role play the use of the intervention and discuss how this influences midwife confidence.
This episode series was developed with funding support from Pfizer Ltd. Pfizer Ltd had no involvement in the content, production, review, analysis, or editorial decisions relating to this series. Funding was provided through an independent grant to support Cocooned Health's work. All views and content are those of the contributors and Cocooned Health. All other Cocooned Health podcast content is produced independently.
The views expressed by participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their institutions, employers, or affiliated organisations. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your own healthcare professional regarding individual medical care. Midwives were remunerated for their time.
DM us at cocoonedhealthpodcast or email: hello@cocoonedhealth.comThis episode has undergone additional editing with minor amendment at on 3rd August 2026 

Ep 33. The Midwife Series Episode 2: Emergence Of An Idea: What Do Midwives Need And Why? “The Easier It Is To Access, The More Utilised It Will Be.”
Part of the 4 part series: 
The Midwife Series Episode 1: Frontline Insights - Midwives On Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy. "It's Our Role To Guide And Support"
The Midwife Series Episode 2: Emergence Of An Idea: What Do Midwives Need And Why? “The Easier It Is To Access, The More Utilised It Will Be”
The Midwife Series Episode 3: Honing And Developing - The Checklist That Could Transform Vaccine Conversations.
The Midwife Series Episode 4: Analysis - How 100 Midwives Generated A Solution To Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy - “Sometimes It’s The Simplest Thing”
In the second episode of our special Midwife Series, Cocooned Health co-hosts Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott are joined by three experienced midwives to explore an emergence of innovations to adjunct vaccine conversations in the United Kingdom.
We discuss the logistics around conversations in pregnancy with our second group of midwives. We move on to share a key result from out survey and start to explore what an innovative solution might look like in practice...
This episode series was developed with funding support from Pfizer Ltd. Pfizer Ltd had no involvement in the content, production, review, analysis, or editorial decisions relating to this series. Funding was provided through an independent grant to support Cocooned Health's work. All views and content are those of the contributors and Cocooned Health. All other Cocooned Health podcast content is produced independently.
The views expressed by participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their institutions, employers, or affiliated organisations. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your own healthcare professional regarding individual medical care. Midwives were remunerated for their time.
DM us at cocoonedhealthpodcast or email: hello@cocoonedhealth.com

Ep 32. The Midwife Series Episode 1: Frontline Insights - Midwives On Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy. "It's Our Role To Guide And Support."Part of the 4 part series: 
The Midwife Series Episode 1: Frontline Insights - Midwives On Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy. "It's Our Role To Guide And Support"
The Midwife Series Episode 2: Emergence Of An Idea: What Do Midwives Need And Why? “The Easier It Is To Access, The More Utilised It Will Be”
The Midwife Series Episode 3: Honing And Developing - The Checklist That Could Transform Vaccine Conversations.
The Midwife Series Episode 4: Analysis - How 100 Midwives Generated A Solution To Vaccine Conversations In Pregnancy - “Sometimes It’s The Simplest Thing”
In the first episode of our special Midwife Series, Cocooned Health co-hosts, Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott, are joined by three experienced midwives to explore one of the most important conversations in maternity care: discussing vaccines during pregnancy.
Drawing on insights from UK real-world midwife professionals working on the frontline, this episode examines how vaccine conversations take place in practice, the challenges faced, and the opportunities to better support both healthcare professionals and pregnant women.
Our guests share their perspectives on discussing maternal vaccinations, navigating questions and concerns, building trust, and balancing these important conversations within busy clinical appointments. Together, we explore what helps midwives feel confident when discussing vaccines and what practical tools could make these conversations easier and more effective.
This fascinating conversation highlights the vital role midwives play in supporting informed choices and protecting the health of mothers and babies.
This episode series was developed with funding support from Pfizer Ltd. Pfizer Ltd had no involvement in the content, production, review, analysis, or editorial decisions relating to this series. Funding was provided through an independent grant to support Cocooned Health's work. All views and content are those of the contributors and Cocooned Health. All other Cocooned Health podcast content is produced independently.
 
The views expressed by participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of their institutions, employers, or affiliated organisations. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your own healthcare professional regarding individual medical care. Midwives were remunerated for their time.DM us at cocoonedhealthpodcast or email: hello@cocoonedhealth.com