All parents-to-be nurture dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

But modern environment and diet is deficient in many factors essential for health of mother and fetus. One of those factors is antioxidants.

The role of antioxidants like folic acid in preventing birth defects like spina bifida and cleft palate is well known. It is now included in all prenatal vitamin supplements.

But role of antioxidants like glutathione and Vitamin E in pregnancy is often overlooked.

Antioxidants and glutathione status play an important role in development and growth of fetus, maintenance of a healthy pregnancy - and even before pregnancy, in fertility and conception.

Glutathione is body's master antioxidant. It helps to regenerate stores of other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E.

It also protects both mother and fetus from damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.

Many pregnancy complications and birth defects have been linked to oxidative stress, free radical damage and low glutathione levels in mother and fetus.

The role of glutathione in development of foetus and placenta is crucial. Glutathione (GSH) can control cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death - essential functions in developing embryo.

In placenta, glutathione detoxifies pollutants before they reach developing child. Most substances or factors which cause birth defects (teratogens) are known to exert their embryotoxic effects because they cause oxidative stress.

The human placenta possesses a significant amount of glutathione S-transferase (GST) capable of detoxification or activation of drugs and pharmaceuticals during critical period of organ development in fetus.

Some drugs are known to cause birth defects in growing fetus by generating free radicals, and depleting GSH stores.

In early embryonic stages, fetus is sensitive to toxic and teratogenic effects of chemicals, whereas it is sensitive to carcinogenic effects during late fetal stages.

Water: Bottles and bottles of water. Small bottles, big bottles, plastic bottles, glass bottles, whatever it takes. Having enough water within your reach everyday will keep you well hydrated as well as keeping your stomach filled when you’d otherwise fall prey to lingering office munchies.

Fruit: Each week, bring a bag of fresh fruit to office and store it in your desk. And don’t just stick with common fare of apples and oranges. Berries, mangos, kiwi will keep for several days, more if you have access to an office refrigerator, and provide variety to whet your appetite for something other than those fudge brownies.

Protein bars: You can also use these as part of one of your daily meals. Be careful and read labels. Many "nutritional bars" are nothing more than candy bars in deceptive packaging. Stay away from ones with high sugar and fat content.