夫至精才化，一气方凝，始受胞胎，渐成形质。子在腹中，随母听闻。自妊娠之后，则
须行坐端严，情性和悦，常处静室，多听美言，聆人讲读诗书，陈礼说乐。耳不听淫声，目不视
恶色。如此则生子形容端正，忠孝贤明，此所谓因外象而内感也。昔太任妊文王，《列女传》
之胎教，皆昭昭可考，是之谓也。或谓有妇双胎而生子者，何也？按古今方书，少有论及此者。
亦惟巢氏云∶阳施阴化，精气有余，故生双则属阴，阴贤之而成女。《易》称干道成男，坤道成女，此男女
之别也。凡妊娠有疾，投以汤药，有伤胎破血之忌何也？《内经》曰∶妇人重身，毒之奈何？岐
伯对曰∶有故无殒，亦无陨也，衰其大半而已。盖妊妇有疾，不可不投药也，必在医者审度疾
势轻重，量度药性高下，处以中庸，不必多品，视其疾势以衰，药宜便止，则病去母安，子亦
无损，复何惧于攻治哉！
君子曰∶胎教产图之书，不可谓之迂而不加信。观夫巨室文献之家，世有闺教妇道，敦笃
庄严，怀妊自不
造次，生子自然清俊。又观动履、起居、饮食之际，感应如响，虽邻家有所兴修，亦且犯其
胎气。如犯刃者，形必伤；如犯泥者，窍必塞；打击者，色青黯；系缚者，相拘挛；食羊睛者，
目必白；食兔肉者，必缺唇。如此之类，验如反掌，及其福善祸淫，殆不可不信也。
当父母双方的至精结合，元气刚刚凝聚，胎儿开始形成，逐渐发育出形体和质地。胎儿在母腹中，能够随着母亲听到外界的声音。自从怀孕之后，孕妇必须举止端庄严肃，性情平和喜悦，经常处于安静的居室中，多听美好的言语，聆听他人诵读诗书，阐述礼仪和音乐的道理。耳朵不听淫邪之声，眼睛不看丑恶之色。这样做生下的孩子容貌端正，忠诚孝顺、贤良明智，这就是所说的“因外象而内感”（通过外部形象影响内部感应）。从前太任（周文王之母）怀文王时，《列女传》中记载的胎教方法，都清晰可考，说的就是这种情况。有人问：有的妇女生下双胞胎，这是为什么呢？查阅古今医方书籍，很少有关于这方面的论述。只有巢元方说：阳施阴化，精气有余，所以生双胞胎则属于阴，阴气贤良则生出女孩。《易经》称乾道成就男性，坤道成就女性，这是男女的区别。凡是孕妇患病，给予汤药治疗，为什么有损伤胎气和破血的禁忌呢？《黄帝内经》说：妇人怀有身孕，用毒药治疗怎么样？岐伯回答说：有病则病受之，不会伤害母体，也不会伤害胎儿，只要使病势衰退大半就可以了。大概是因为孕妇有病，不能不投药治疗，但必须在医生审慎判断病情轻重，衡量药性高低，处以中庸之法，不必使用多种药物，观察病情衰退后，用药应当立即停止，这样病去母安，胎儿也没有损害，又何必害怕攻伐治疗呢！
君子说：关于胎教和产图的书籍，不能说它们迂腐而不加相信。看那些大户人家中有文献传承的家庭，世代重视闺门教育和妇道，敦厚笃实、庄严持重，怀孕时自然不轻率行事，生下的孩子自然清秀俊美。又观察行动起居、饮食方面，感应如同回响一样迅速，即使邻居家有所兴修建造，也会触犯其胎气。如果触犯刀兵者，胎儿形体必受伤；如果触犯泥土者，胎儿七窍必堵塞；遭受打击者，面色青暗；被束缚者，相貌拘挛；吃羊眼睛者，孩子眼睛必白（指眼疾或失明）；吃兔肉者，孩子必缺唇（兔唇）。像这类情况，验证起来易如反掌，至于福善祸淫（行善得福，作恶得祸），大概是不可以不相信的。
When the supreme essence (Zhi Jing) of both parents combines and the vital qi (Yi Qi) first condenses, the conception of the fetus begins, gradually forming its shape and substance. The fetus in the womb hears sounds along with the mother. After pregnancy is established, the pregnant woman must maintain dignified posture and behavior, keep her temperament peaceful and joyful, reside often in quiet rooms, listen to beautiful words, hear others reciting poetry and books, and discuss rituals and music. Her ears should not listen to licentious sounds, nor her eyes behold ugly colors. By doing so, the child born will have a proper appearance, be loyal, filial, virtuous, and wise. This is what is called "internal sensation due to external images" (Yin Wai Xiang Er Nei Gan). In ancient times, when Tai Ren was pregnant with King Wen, the prenatal education methods recorded in *Biographies of Exemplary Women* (*Lü Nü Zhuan*) are clearly verifiable; this refers to such practices. Some ask: Why do some women give birth to twins? According to ancient and modern medical formularies, few discuss this matter. Only Chao Yuanfang stated: When Yang exerts and Yin transforms, if the essence and qi are abundant, then twins are born belonging to Yin; if Yin is virtuous, they become females. The *I Ching* states that the Dao of Qian creates males, and the Dao of Kun creates females; this is the distinction between men and women. Regarding why there are taboos against damaging the fetus or causing blood stasis when administering decoctions for pregnant women with diseases: The *Huangdi Neijing* says, "If a woman is heavily pregnant, how should toxic medicines be used?" Qibo replied, "If there is a disease, it will not cause destruction [to the healthy body], nor will it destroy [the fetus]; merely reduce the pathogenic factor by more than half." Generally, if a pregnant woman has a disease, medicine cannot be withheld. However, the physician must carefully assess the severity of the illness and the potency of the drugs, prescribing moderate treatments without using too many ingredients. Once the illness subsides, medication should stop. Thus, the disease is eliminated, the mother remains safe, and the fetus is undamaged. Why then fear therapeutic intervention!
The Gentleman says: Books on prenatal education and obstetric diagrams should not be dismissed as pedantic and unbelievable. Observing families of high status with literary traditions, who generations uphold strict domestic education and feminine conduct, being earnest, solemn, and dignified, naturally avoid rashness during pregnancy, resulting in children who are naturally clear-featured and handsome. Furthermore, observing movements, daily life, and diet, the responses are immediate like echoes. Even if neighbors undertake construction work, it may disturb the fetal qi. If disturbed by weapons/blades, the physical form will be injured; if disturbed by mud, the orifices will be blocked; if struck, the complexion becomes dark and bluish; if bound, the features become contracted; if eating sheep eyes, the child's eyes will be white (blind); if eating rabbit meat, the child will have a cleft lip. Such cases are verified as easily as turning one's hand. As for blessings for virtue and calamities for vice, it is indeed something that cannot be disbelieved.