2. Life course approach in obstetrics and gynaecology for patient care, education and research

The life course approach in obstetrics and gynaecology respects the continuum of a woman’s life. The continuum is a one-way direction, which already starts preconceptionally with gametogenesis in the parental reproductive organs and is followed by consecutive life course stages, such as conception, foetal and placental growth and development, menopause and geriatric aging. Each individual’s life course is unique. Therefore, the life course approach should be personalized and context-based, providing an individualized path towards healthy aging, with specific attention for prevention, the social environment and the next generation. A life course-long healthcare approach necessitates reorganisation of the current health care system, research and medical training programmes, involving integration and transcendence of transmural and multidisciplinary care as well as crossing medical, paramedical and social domains.