Infant mortality is widely used as a key indicator of the overall health of a community, country, or continent. Given that perinatal mortality accounts for two-thirds of infant deaths, it is understandable why optimizing the content, access, and delivery of prenatal care became the major focus of obstetrics during the 20th century. Herein we argue that preconceptional care will emerge in the 21st century as a key component of reproductive care and that two major disciplines, obstetrics and reproductive medicine, will join forces in a battle not only to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality but to optimize health for mothers and children, as well as set the stage for adult life.
