Baby Maker: A Complete Guide to Holistic Nutrition for Fertility, Conception, and Pregnancy

With a foreword by NY Times bestselling author Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS.

Can you change your eating habits and use a holistic nutrition strategy to improve your fertility and health during pregnancy? Yes!

For most couples, conception and a healthy pregnancy often take planning, timing, and a lot of patience, even for the most fertile. Throw in some pre-existing health conditions, a few genetic hurdles passed on from parents and grandparents, and you may find you are one of the approximately 7.5 million women in the U.S. dealing with infertility. 

In Baby Maker, Barbara Rodgers shares science-based research and facts that clearly describe the critical role nutrition can play on fertility, the growth of a fetus, and even genetic synthesis in a newborn baby. Baby Maker offers comprehensive options and a step-by-step plan for improving fertility (for men and women), strengthening the ability of a pregnant mom to carry to term, as well as a plan to support a mother’s health during pregnancy. Finally, there is basic information offered on how to jumpstart mom’s nutritional health immediately following delivery. This book offers hope to the millions of women who struggle with fertility. 

Barbara knows all-too-well the positive effect nutrition and lifestyle changes can make on the human body, as she did after dealing with the challenging, debilitating symptoms of MS for several years and eventually healing from them. 

Barbara Rodgers, NC, BCHN, is honored to be a part of your journey towards health, wellness, and parenthood. 

"Baby Maker is an excellent overview of what to do to help ensure the healthiest pregnancy, as well as setting up baby and parents for a lifetime of wellness. So often, the act of becoming pregnant and carrying to term is the whole intent of parents-to-be and their providers, but Baby Maker gives the tools necessary for not only increased chances of fertility for both parents, but also sets the stage so that the parents will be in robust health throughout the pregnancy and in the best condition to look after their new child after the pregnancy and delivery (and as all parents know, middle-of-the-night feedings, recovery from birth, a healthy and replete milk supply for nursing and adjusting to the all-encompassing responsibilities of continued care for a newborn are monumental and completely engrossing tasks!). This book should be required reading for anyone looking to start a family—as well as their doctors and health care providers."    -- Dr. Sarica Cernohous, L.Ac., Author of "The Funky Kitchen: Easy Techniques from Our Ancestors from Improved Digestion, Enhanced Vitality and Joy!"

"Barbara Rodgers has written an indispensable and urgently vital book dealing with the future of mankind! The alarming increase in infertility and autistic spectrum disorder in our modern computerized age has been the harbinger of tragic outcomes for many growing families. This significant and timely book reveals a safe, simple, and strategic protocol for young women preparing for conception. Rodgers offers tremendous hope and easily workable nutritional solutions for couples in the 21st century. This is a must-read book as infertility and autistic spectrum disorder literally touches us all." -- Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., Co-Author, "Health revelations from Heaven and Earth"

"Barbara's book is a breath of fresh air. I have always said that the biggest impact we can have on the health of the planet is to assist in the conception and raising of healthy babies. Barbara lays out the proper steps needed for moms, and dads, to position themselves in conceiving and birthing the healthiest and happiest child possible. Thank you for this powerful book, written in a very easy and understandable fashion for all. For all you parents out there: You can't say there isn't an owners' manual anymore. Barbara created this for you right here. Enjoy!" -- Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath Speaker, Author, Trainer and Founder of Depke Wellness DepkeWellness.com

"Baby Maker is a breath of fresh, much-needed air in a world where couples, desperate to have a baby, are pushed toward expensive, high-tech solutions to 'unexplained' infertility. Barbara Rodgers has done her homework. She explains what fertility doctors often overlook—the environmental factors, particularly nutrition, that are lowering fertility rates around the world. After laying out the scientific research on the 'Why?' of infertility, she goes on to share concrete actions for becoming fertile and raising healthy babies. Baby Maker is a must-read for women contemplating making babies." -- Tom Ballard, RN, ND, Founder: Natural DNA Solutions, Author of "Nutrition-1-2-3" and "Genetic Health Reports," as well as the natural medicine mystery novel "The Last Quack (fun with food and feathers!)"

"Baby Maker is the perfect resource for couples preparing for pregnancy. Barbara Rodgers gives compelling reasons for wanna-be mom's and dad's to adopt a healthy lifestyle well in advance of conception. She lays out an easy-to-follow, step-by-step plan for improving health (men and women) to support fertility, conception, as well as recommendations to maintain health during mom's pregnancy, breastfeeding and post-delivery—it is truly an A to Z manual for making healthy babies!" -- Miriam Zacharias, MS, NTC, BCHN, Author, "The PEACE Process"

"Barbara Rodgers has provided a much needed resource for what has become a minefield of toxicity, trauma, and tears. I remember how devastated I was when I read that human breast milk had become one of the most toxic substances on the planet. I realized then that couples had to be very intentional in their plans for conception if they wanted a healthy baby. This book is just what the doctor ordered! If you plan to have a baby, know someone who plans on having a baby, or want to give the best baby shower gift ever, get this book."  -- Dr. Keesha Ewers, #1 bestselling author of "Solving the Autoimmune Puzzle" and "The Quick and Easy Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook"

"Finally, we have a plan that makes sense for young couples who want to start a family! In Baby Maker, Barbara Rodgers has provided future parents a roadmap of how to improve fertility, have a healthy pregnancy, and deliver happy, healthy babies into their waiting arms—all based on holistic nutrition and natural health protocols. This book belongs in the hands of every couple who dreams of becoming parents one day." -- Patricia Koss, PhD, NC, FNLP

"Joy to the world, a much-needed book has finally been written that addresses the science of fertility with clear explanations for the continual rise of infertility we are experiencing. Barbara Rodgers presents us with wise, compassionate solutions, offering a path to healthy pregnancy and birth. We can celebrate the birth of this book that will support healthy babies and provide great delight for parents who have not found their way to such a nutritious journey to success. Bravo... a must read."  -- Paula Bartholomy, CNC, BCHN, Registrar and Director of Online Events at Hawthorn University

"I sure could have used this book before, during, and after my VERY rocky pregnancy! While I was able to get pregnant with my son, I wasn't able to conceive a second time. My one pregnancy was fraught with challenges. I had morning sickness that stayed with me until the day I delivered, I gained nearly 50 pounds, and my mood swings were more dramatic than any other time in my life. My desire to breastfeed my beautiful baby boy became a nightmare, when my milk didn't come in properly. The doctor repeatedly (and rather frustratedly!) tried to assure me that, 'every mother makes the right amount of milk for her baby.' He couldn't have been more wrong; my son was STARVING! Eventually and much earlier than I wanted, I abandoned breastfeeding altogether. 

This book could have changed all of that for me and my baby. Barb has done her research and provides a treasure-trove of specific information that will help you avoid so many of the problems I encountered. Having an education in Holistic Nutrition now myself, I know that so much of what I experienced was because my diet was lacking. Getting the right nutrients through food and supplements could have made my pregnancy more enjoyable, helped my milk come in properly, and might have set the stage for my dream of having a second child. 

There's nothing more amazing than holding your baby in your arms for the first time. When you look into your baby's eyes, you'll want to feel confident that you did all you could to give him the best start in life. If you want to have the healthiest pregnancy possible, read this book and follow Barb's advice."  -- Nicole Hodson, NC, BCHN, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP)

After a 5 ½-year-long battle with MS, Barbara Rodgers used holistic nutrition protocols to heal herself from this devastating disease. She was inspired to return to school to study Holistic Nutrition, and is now a nutrition consultant; board certified in Holistic Nutrition. Barbara helps individuals with chronic disease, unexplained infertility, and autoimmune conditions understand the effect their diet and lifestyle choices have as contributing factors to overall health.

After twenty-six years of experience working in corporate America, Barbara effectively taps into her well-honed business acumen and relationship skills when working with clients to develop customized nutrition strategies. Positions formerly held include senior vice president and national sales manager for Fiserv Securities in Philadelphia, PA, and Director, Global Clients for SunGard in New York. Barbara is currently an executive board member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) and resides in Philadelphia, PA, where she works virtually with clients across the U.S.