典藏书目

Whenever a pregnant woman approaches her due date and suddenly experiences abdominal pain that comes and goes, lasting for one or two days or three to five days, with little amniotic fluid coming out but only frequentless abdominal pain, this is called "Nong Tai" (Playing Fetus), which is not true labor. There is also a condition where, one month or half a month before delivery, sudden abdominal pain occurs as if giving birth but does not result in birth, called "Shi Yue" (Testing Month), which is also not true labor. For all such abdominal pains, regardless of whether amniotic fluid has come out or not, there is no serious matter; one should simply relax the mind and wait for the proper time. If it is truly time to give birth, the pain will be extreme and radiate to the waist, indicating imminent delivery. This is because the Kidney system connects to the waist, and the Bao Gong (Uterus) is tied to the Kidney. Additionally, one can pinch the first joint of the middle finger of the parturient woman; if there is a throbbing sensation, delivery is imminent. At this time, the fetus presses against the birth canal, the anus protrudes, and water and blood flow down together. Only then can she sit on the birthing mat and prepare for delivery, just as a ripe melon falls from its stem; this is the sign of normal delivery.

1. When the parturient woman's abdominal pain is not severe, she should relax her mind and move appropriately to facilitate the fetus turning. If lower back and abdominal pain are severe, indicating signs of labor, she should lie supine with her body straight, or sit up and stretch, maintaining calmness and composure, waiting for the fetus to turn downwards. In this way, delivery will surely be smooth and easy. It is most inadvisable to panic and intervene prematurely, causing the mother to become timid and Qi-deficient, leading to the rupture of the Bao Yi (Membrane) and drying of the amniotic fluid, making it difficult for the fetus to turn, which inevitably leads to dystocia.

2. When the parturient woman first feels the urge to give birth, she must conserve her strength and nourish herself, avoiding exertion, lest she become weak at the time of delivery. If she exerts force too early while the fetus is still turning, it often results in malpresentation (transverse lie). One must wait until the fetus is in the correct position and reaches the birth canal; once pressed, it will naturally descend. If the time is not right, exerting force is futile.

3. In the delivery room, there should be no noise or panic from many people. The doors and windows should be closed, and one should wait quietly for birth.

4. At the time of impending delivery, it is suitable to eat thick, soft white rice porridge. Do not let the mother go hungry or thirsty, which would deplete her Qi and strength. Also, avoid hard, cold, or indigestible foods, fearing that weakness during delivery may lead to Spleen deficiency and inability to digest, resulting in postpartum food stagnation.

5. The temperature of the parturient woman's room should be appropriate. If delivery occurs in spring and summer, one should avoid Yang pathogens, such as Wind; if in autumn and winter, one should avoid Yin pathogens, such as Cold. Therefore, even in intense heat, one should not expose oneself to wind to cool down, thereby inviting external pathogens. Nor should it be too hot, causing headache and facial redness in the mother. Nor should there be too many people, as steaming heat may cause the aforementioned ailments. If there is extreme heat, irritability, thirst, or symptoms like fainting due to blood loss or bleeding, a small amount of cool water may be given temporarily to relieve it, but it should not be used excessively. If it is late winter or early spring, with residual cold still prevalent, the delivery room must have heating. The lower body must be kept warm, and clothing and bedding should be thick and warm, so as not to be invaded by cold air, avoiding the risk of fetal coldness and blood stasis leading to dystocia. Moreover, after the expulsion of the fetal origin, both Qi and Blood are depleted. Susceptibility to pathogens when deficient is high at this time, so caution is essential.

6. Pregnant women from wealthy families who are overly sedentary often suffer from Qi and Blood stagnation, frequently preventing the fetus from turning. Before delivery, they should exercise regularly to ensure smooth Qi and Blood flow. If the fetus turns easily, delivery will also be easy. This is something that should be attended to in advance.

7. During late pregnancy approaching delivery, divination or consulting spirits should be avoided. Charlatans such as shamans may deceive and frighten for profit, falsely predicting danger and praying to gods for protection. Hearing this, the parturient woman may develop doubt and fear. Worry causes Qi stagnation and obstruction, often leading to dystocia. This should be strictly avoided.

8. If the amniotic sac has not ruptured during labor, steady observation is sufficient. If the sac ruptures and delivery does not occur within one or two hours (two Shichen), drugs to induce labor should be taken, such as Tuohua Decoction (Decoction for Detaching Flowers), Huatai Decoction (Slippery Fetus Decoction), or Yimu Wan (Motherwort Pills). Amniotic fluid nourishes the life of the fetus. If the fluid dries up without delivery, it indicates the fetus lacks vitality. The longer the delay, the drier the fluid, and the weaker the strength, so induction should be hastened.

9. Alcohol should not be given to the parturient woman in large amounts to the point of intoxication. Intoxication before delivery causes weakness and immobility of the four limbs. Excessive alcohol consumption after delivery may introduce pathogenic factors into the Blood level and limbs, potentially causing later issues such as abnormal bleeding, limb weakness, and soreness/aching of the marrow and bones.