Cocooned Health

Ep12. Is it worth taking probiotics during pregnancy & are probiotics good for baby? Gut health against infection. Expert Guest: Professor Linsday HallToday we will be talking about the gut health of mum and baby and what the implications are for later life. This is quite a new area of research and so we are deeply privileged to have our special guest today expert Professor Lindsay Hall who is Chair of Microbiome Research at the University of Birmingham, who has really been one of the leaders in helping to get answers on this topic.  Her work explored how "friendly bacteria" like Bifidobacterium coincides with laying the foundation for baby's future health and vitality. She is Group Leader at Quadram since 2015. The Quadram Institute brings together researchers, academics and NHS clinicians to address global challenges in human health, food and disease.
Today we will touch on topics such as 
What the microbiome is and why it's interesting in pregnancy and for babies
the evidence for probiotics in pregnancy
Gut health of the baby after C Section versus vaginal delivery
The impact of breastfeeding 
We will also explore with Professor Hall, why from a scientific perspective it is quite challenging to research these questions. 
It’s important to note that the views we’ve expressed here are our own, and don’t represent those of any institution or other affiliated party and do not constitute medical advice. If you are looking for medical advice, please, as always, contact your own healthcare professional.  Please leave feedback via Instagram @Cocooned Health: And don't forget to subscribeDisclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep11.  Chickenpox Vaccine - Juggling Vaccine Timings and Life -  Expert Guest: Professor Adam Finn
Chickenpox vaccines for babies: Can you get them on the NHS or state provided services? Or only via private healthcare? Why if so? Dr Lydia Yarlott and cohost Dr Eliz Kilich is joined by special guest Professor Adam Finn, who is a Professor of Paediatrics at the Universtiy of Bristol in the UK. We talk about Chickenpox vaccines for babies, their timings, different schedules across the world and why it is important.
Professors Finn's research interests include immunity to bacterial respiratory illnesses. He is also a senior clinician in the paediatric immunology and infectious diseases service at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the South West region and heads the Bristol Vaccine Centre. In addition, he was Chairman of the WHO European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization from 2011 to 2022. He has spent ten years as ex officio member of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, Member of the UK Department of Health Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation from 2014-2024). He also spent 4 years during 2015-2019 as President of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Episode 10: Ever wondered how we know the Flu vaccine is safe specifically in pregnancy? Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath
This episodes focuses on the safety of the Influenza vaccine in pregnancy and infants. Exploring the evidence for safety and the history behind vaccination safety. We hope to give mums-to-be clear advice and understanding on this topic. 
Paul Heath is a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, University of London, where he is the Director of the Vaccine Institute. His training in paediatrics and infectious diseases was at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford; and St George’s Hospital, London. His research interests are in the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, in clinical vaccine trials, particularly in at-risk groups and in perinatal infections. He coordinates the UK Paediatric Vaccine Group (UKPVG), is a member of the JCVI, is the NIHR Speciality Lead for Children’s research for South London and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.
Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep9. Vax & Relax: Flu Protection for Mums-to-be & babies. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath
Paul Heath is a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, University of London, where he is the Director of the Vaccine Institute. His training in paediatrics and infectious diseases was at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford; and St George’s Hospital, London. His research interests are in the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, in clinical vaccine trials, particularly in at-risk groups and in perinatal infections. He coordinates the UK Paediatric Vaccine Group (UKPVG), is a member of the JCVI, is the NIHR Speciality Lead for Children’s research for South London and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.This episodes focuses on the vaccine benefits of the Influenza vaccine in pregnancy and infants. Exploring the reasons to vaccinate, the history behind vaccination and the effectiveness levels, we hope to give mums-to-be clear advice and understanding on this topic. The episode will touch on the best time to get the Influenza vaccine in pregnancy and what the different types of flu vaccines are and why they differ for different groups of people (children, pregnancy and the elderly). Join us for the next episode on Flu Vaccine safety next time ...Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep8. Should you get your child their second dose of MMR at 18 months? Measles outbreaks and the MMR vaccine. Expert Guest: Professor Sir Andrew Pollard
In this episode we are joined by Professor Sir Andrew Pollard. Sir Andrew is Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford and a consultant paediatrician at Oxford Children’s Hospital and Fellow of St Cross College. He received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021 for services to Public Health, especially in the pandemic, and received the Order of Medical Merit (Grande Official) from the Federal Republic of Brazil in 2022 and is Commander of the Order of Rio Branco. We discuss the risks of measles, why there are ongoing outbreaks. We also discuss how the myths came about regarding the vaccine and what the evidence is that disproves the myths. We also discuss common and rare risks of the vaccine and their important benefits. Importantly we discuss changes to the UK vaccine schedule and what to expect if you are a parent of a child weighing up these decisions.
Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. Information is always subject to change. The views here are our own and do not represent that of any institution or affiliated body although we do discuss public health guidance in general. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 
 

Episode 7. The Surprise Truths & Myths About Fertility, Menstruation, the Placenta and COVID-19. Expert Guest: Dr Viki Male
In this episode we discuss how the myths around fertility and the vaccine came about. We discuss how COVID19 infection impacts fertility and whether it is long lasting. We give our listeners understanding about the placenta and therefore how immunity is given to a baby in utero. We also explore how the baby's placenta is actually instrumental in protecting it against infections. 
Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. Information is always subject to change. The views here are our own and do not represent that of any institution or affiliated body although we do discuss public health guidance in general. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Episode 6. RSV Ready: New Mumma Vaccine and Antibody Breakthroughs. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath
Paul Heath is a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, University of London, where he is the Director of the Vaccine Institute.
His research interests include the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, and clinical vaccine trials, particularly in at-risk groups and in perinatal infections. He coordinates the UK Paediatric Vaccine Group (UKPVG), is a member of the JCVI, is the NIHR Speciality Lead for Children’s research for South London CRN and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.
This episode gives insight into the new and exciting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine offered routinely in pregnancy in the USA . The vaccine is also potentially coming to the UK in 2024 .RSV causes bronchiolitis and is a common cause for babies to get unwell in the first months of life. We explore the BRAND NEW and different and RSV Protection Pathways:The Prenatal Vaccine vs. Newborn Antibody Strategies. We discuss the evidence, the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines and other strategies (monoclonal antibodies)
Exploring the Options:
RSV Vaccine in Pregnancy: A newly licensed vaccine tailored to shield babies from RSV, administered during pregnancy.
Palivizumab: A monoclonal antibody treatment given to infants and children at high risk for severe RSV disease. Unlike a vaccine, it's a passive immunisation, directly providing the antibody.
Nirsevimab: Another monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants, offering extended protection with less frequent injections compared to Palivizumab, available for all infants, regardless of risk.
Featuring Expert Insights from Professor Paul Heath.
Episode References 
The clinical trial which showed the effectiveness and safety of the RSV vaccine in pregnancy. Kampmann, Beate et al. “Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 388,16 (2023): 1451-1464. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa221648
The new neonatal antibody treatment: Drysdale, Simon B et al. “Nirsevimab for Prevention of Hospitalizations Due to RSV in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 389,26 (2023): 2425-2435. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2309189
Medscape article talking about the different brands of vaccines against RSV and their trial data. The reason for the timing of the vaccine given in the last trimester to reduce the risk of prematurity https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/risk-preterm-birth-stops-maternal-rsv-vaccine-trial-2024a10004rk?form=fpf🎤 We generate podcast episodes with expert guest speakers to discuss the latest evidence, to help you understand the public health guidance, and what things you can do to make this period as protected/ cocooned as possible.🎤Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.
 
Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 
 

Ep5. Sharing food with toddlers during pregnancy? What’s the risk when pregnant?  The CMV Episode.   Expert Guest: Professor Hermione Lyall
In Episode 5, we dive into a question many expectant parents ask but rarely get a clear answer to: Is it safe to share food, cups, or utensils with a toddler when you’re pregnant?
To help us untangle the science from the stress, we’re joined by Professor Hermione Lyall, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and one of the UK’s leading experts on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).
CMV is common, usually mild, and often misunderstood. But during pregnancy, it can pose risks to the developing baby, making everyday interactions with young children (who are the most frequent carriers) an important but sensitive topic.
In this episode, we explore:
What CMV actually is and why it matters particularly in pregnancy
Why toddlers are the main source of CMV exposure and how transmission happens
What the real risks are when pregnant people share food, drinks, dummies, or cutlery with young children
Which practical steps genuinely reduce risk—without creating fear, guilt, or unrealistic rules for families
What current evidence and UK guidelines say, and what’s still uncertain
How to balance normal family life with sensible infection-prevention habits
Professor Lyall brings clarity, nuance, and empathy to a topic that often leaves people anxious or confused. Whether you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers grounded, compassionate guidance to help you make informed decisions while living everyday life with little ones.
 
Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. Information is always subject to change. The views here are our own and do not represent that of any institution or affiliated body although we do discuss public health guidance in general. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive.