夏月酷暑，产室宜清凉，恐热气逼蒸，使产妇热伤气分，头痛面赤，昏沉如醉，多致气乏不能产下，宜
服六一散。并置凉水房中收暑，不宜凉台水阁，及睡竹席、竹床，若遇狂风阴雨，亦当谨避。
夏月热产，虑感暑痧，无病者，万勿轻尝药饵，如无块痛，生化汤亦不必服。若陡患腹痛，先须防痧，可
先用扭法试探，如一扭即红，多扭而紫及高起者，则患痧无疑矣。切不可认作血块痛。当须扭出，疏通滞血，
大忌米汤粥饭，须待腹知饥饿，则痧势已平，方能进食。以干菜汤饭微温服，忌糖食油腻。
冬产严寒，必须温暖，勿使寒冷，以致血凝难产。多备火炉，使产母腰背下体，就火烘之。衣服宜暖，而
下体更宜暖。奈世俗毋论严寒，每于临盆之先，早将裤脱下体，底围单裙，贫苦之家，既无火炉之可温设，遇
冻久不下，因而血冷凝滞，坚收产门，儿不得出。速煎芎归汤加炮姜、肉桂服。仍用火炉使腰背温暖即生。
亦有煎紫苏汤一大盆，熏洗产户甚妙。奈竟有不知此理，而归数于难产，岂不冤哉。
凡遇严寒生产者，当预做小脚开裆新花浓棉裤，于将产穿之裤，既开裆临盆可免脱去，不致因冻而难产。
初觉腹痛，先自家拿稳主意，要晓得此是人生必然之理，极容易之事，不可惊慌，但看疼阵渐痛渐紧，
此是要生。方可与人说之，以便伺候。若疼得慢，则是试痛，只管安眠稳食，不可乱动。
此处极要着意留心，乃是第一关头，不可忽略。
若试痛认作正产，胡乱临盆，则错到底矣。此时第一要忍痛为主，不问是试痛是正产，忍住疼照常吃饭
睡觉，疼得极熟，自然易生。且试痛与正生，亦要疼久，看其紧慢，方辨得清，千万不可轻易临盆，坐草揉腰
擦肚。站宜稳站，坐宜正坐，不可将身左右摆扭。须知此处要自家做主，他人替不得你，自家性命相关，
与别人毫无干涉。
到此时，必要养神惜力为主，能上床安睡，闭目养神最好，若不能睡，临时起来，或扶人缓行，或扶床站
立片时，疼若稍缓，又上床睡，总以睡为第一妙法，但宜仰睡，使腹中宽舒，小儿易于
转动，且大人睡下，小儿亦是睡下，转身更不费力。
盖大人宜惜力，小儿亦宜惜力，以待临时用之，切记，切记。无论迟早，切不可轻易临盆用力，切不可
听稳婆说∶孩儿头已在此，以致临盆早了误尽大事，此乃天地自然造化之理。若当其时，小儿自会钻出，何须
着急，因恐小儿力薄、其转身时，用力已尽，及到产门不能得出，或亦有之。宜稍用力一阵助之，则脱然而
下，盖此时瓜熟蒂落，气血两分，浑身骨节一时俱开，水到渠成，不
假勉强及至生下，即产母亦不知其所以然矣。
或曰∶出大便时，尚须用力，如何生产，不用力不知，大便呆物必须人力、小儿自会转动。必要待其
自转，不但不必用力，正切忌用力。盖小儿端坐腹中，及至生时垂头转身向下，腹中窄狭，
他人有力难助，要听其自家，慢慢转身到产门，头向下，脚向上，
倒悬而出。若小儿未曾转身，用力一逼，则脚先出，以为诧异，且赠之美名曰∶脚踏莲花生、或转身未定时，
用力一逼，则横卧腹中，一手先出，又名之曰∶讨盥生，即或转身向下，略不条直，用力略早亦或左或右，偏
顶腿骨而不得出，不知此等弊病，皆是时候未到，妄之用力之故，奉劝世人，万万不可用力，然非全不用
力，但当用力只有一盏茶时耳。其余皆不可乱动者也。即如大便未到其时，纵用力亦不能出，而况于产也。
或曰∶小儿自会钻出之说，到底未敢尽信，不知古人曾言及否。曰∶古人立言，不过摄其大要，安能事
事而悉言之，只要后人体会耳。观瓜熟蒂落四字，即知小儿自会钻出。观揠苗助长四字，即知将试痛认作正
生之弊矣。当观哺鸡与蚕蛾二物，均日足自能啄壳而出，岂有催生之神药，稳婆之妙手乎。古谓有迟至三
四年而后生者，此是不肯钻出耳，即自不钻出，谁能强之，自要钻出，谁能御之。
或曰∶如此言之，早一时断乎，不可动矣，不知迟不一时，或有妨否，曰不妨，若果当其时，必无不出
之理，然或偶有不出者，则是小儿力尽，不能即出。宜令上床安睡，使小儿在腹中亦能安
睡，歇力少刻，即自生矣。
或曰∶倘或儿到产门，而大人睡下，岂不有碍。曰更好。盖小儿向下时，大人坐立，则小儿倒悬矣、岂能
久待，今大人睡下，儿在腹中亦得睡下、有何妨碍。又曰倘或闷坏奈何，曰他十个月不闷，今乃闷乎。
或曰∶不宜用力，已闻教矣。不知误用力以致横生倒产，有法治之否。曰∶有急令安睡，用大剂加味芎归
汤服之。将手足缓缓托入、再睡一夜，自然生矣。又曰∶托之不入奈何，曰∶若肯睡再无不入之理，若到
此时，仍不肯睡，又何动手动脚，乱吃方药，吾未如之何也矣。
或问∶盘肠生是何缘故。曰∶亦是用力之过，盖因产母平时
气虚，及到临时用力，努挣浑身气血下注，以致肠随而下。一次
如此，下次路熟，又复如此。若能等待，瓜熟蒂落之时，何得有此怪异之症乎。
或问有一痛便生，令人措手不及者，此又何也。曰∶此乃正
理，何足为异，盖胎气已足，母子两分，儿自要出，谁欲留之，而不可得，能耐得住，人人皆是如此耳。
或问临产时饮食如何。曰∶此时心内忧疑，腹中疼痛，甚至精神疲倦，口中失味，全要好饮食调理，但
不宜过于肥腻耳，倘不能食，只将鸡鸭汤，肉汤之类，吹去油澄清，频频饮之，亦能
壮助精神，人以食为命，岂可一日缺乎。
或问试痛何故。曰∶儿到七八个月，手足五官全备，已能动弹，或母腹有火，或起居不时，令儿不安，
以此大动而痛，此等十居其五不足为奇，只宜照常稳食安眠，一二日自然安静。或痛不止用安胎药，一二服自
止。此后近则数日，远则月余，甚至再过三四个月才产，人多不知，轻易临盆。终日坐立，不令睡倒，或
拖腰擦肚，或用手拖，或用药打，生生将儿取出，母则九死一生，儿则十胎九夭，惨不可言，世间难产皆
此故也。盖胎养不足，气血不全，如割卵出雏，裂茧出蛹，宁可活乎。只说小儿难养，谁
复根究到此。兼且有受寒，及伤食腹痛者，人亦不可不知。
或问何以知其试痛。曰∶只看痛法，一阵紧一阵者，正生也。一阵慢一阵，或乍紧乍慢，皆试痛也。
或问伤食受寒，何以辨之，曰∶伤食者当脐而痛，以手按之
则更痛，若寒痛则多在脐下，绵绵而痛、不增不减，得热物而即稍缓者，是也。
或问将试痛，认作正生，害即如此，倘将正生认作试痛，以致过时不亦有害乎。曰∶无害果当其时，
则小儿自会钻出，纵或过时，亦不过落在裤中，生在床上而已，有何大害，而如此谆谆乎。
或问临时有经验，催生之药亦可用否，曰∶不用从前奇方，莫
过鼠肾兔脑丸。今时盛行莫过回生丹，非谓其不效而不用也。总
用不着耳。既不用力，又不动手，又有睡法佐之，他自会生，何消用药，纵有不顺睡为上策。
或问前列丸丹服之，有益无损否，曰∶安得无损，鼠兔二丸大耗气而兼损血，回生丹大破血，而兼损气，
盖鼠兔例用香窜之药，产时百脉解散，气血亏损，服此散气之药，儿已出而香未消，其损多矣。且令毛窍开
张，招风入内，祸不可言。回生丹以大黄、红花为君，佐以消导之品，血已耗而又大破之，多致产后发热等
病，遗患无穷。
夫此三方古今称为灵宝者，尚如此，此外更无论矣。
或问临产催生之药害既如此，总无可用之药乎，曰∶有只须加味芎归汤，佛手散二方，用之不尽矣。
盖胎产全要血足，血一足如舟之得水，何患不行，惟恐产母血少，又或胞浆早破，以致
干涩，今二方皆大用芎归，使宿血顿去，新血骤生，药味随地皆有，且使身体壮健，产后无病，真正有益
无损。此皆先贤洞明阴阳之理，制此神丹，以利济天下后世，奈世人贵耳，贱目以为平
常而不用，必求奇怪之药而用之，只要奇怪，不论损益，岂不可叹。
夏季酷暑时，产房应当保持清凉，担心热气蒸腾，导致产妇热邪损伤气分，出现头痛、面色发红、神志昏沉如同醉酒一般，这往往会导致气力匮乏而无法分娩，适宜服用六一散。同时应将产妇安置在凉爽的房间中避暑，不宜睡在凉台或水阁，也不宜睡竹席、竹床；如果遇到狂风阴雨天气，也应当谨慎避开。
夏季炎热时分娩，要顾虑感染暑痧（一种因暑热引起的急性病证）。没有病症的产妇，千万不要轻易尝试药物；如果没有血块疼痛的症状，生化汤也不必服用。如果突然患上腹痛，首先必须防备是暑痧，可以先用“扭法”（一种通过按压皮肤观察反应的方法）进行试探，如果一扭皮肤即变红，多扭后变紫且隆起者，则是患暑痧无疑了。切不可将其误认为是血块疼痛。应当通过扭法疏通滞血，绝对禁止食用米汤和粥饭，必须等到腹部感到饥饿时，说明暑痧之势已经平息，才能进食。此时应以微温的干菜汤送服饭菜，忌食糖类和油腻食物。
冬季分娩严寒，必须注意保暖，不要让身体受寒，以免导致血液凝滞、难产。应多准备火炉，让产妇的腰部、背部和下体靠近火源烘烤。衣服应当暖和，而下体更要注意保暖。无奈世俗之人不论严寒与否，往往在临盆之前，早早将裤子脱下，下身只围单裙；贫苦人家既没有火炉取暖，遇到冻久不下，就会因为血液冷凝停滞，导致产门紧缩坚硬，胎儿无法产出。此时应迅速煎服芎归汤加入炮姜、肉桂。仍然使用火炉使腰背温暖，胎儿即可娩出。也有煎一大盆紫苏汤，用来熏洗产户，效果很好。无奈竟有人不懂这个道理，将原因归结为难产，这难道不是冤枉吗？
凡是遇到严寒时分娩的，应当预先制作小脚开裆的新花厚棉裤，在即将分娩时穿上。这种裤子开了裆，临盆时可免去脱裤子的动作，不至于因为受冻而导致难产。
刚开始觉得腹痛时，首先要自己稳住心神，要知道这是人生必然的道理，也是很容易的事情，不可惊慌。只要看疼痛阵势逐渐加剧、逐渐紧密，这就是快要生了。这时才可以告诉他人，以便伺候。如果疼痛来得慢，那就是试痛（假性宫缩），只管安心睡觉吃饭，不要乱动。此处极需要注意留心，这是第一道关口，不可忽略。如果把试痛认作正产，胡乱准备分娩，那就错到底了。此时最重要的是忍耐疼痛为主，不管是试痛还是正产，忍住疼痛照常吃饭睡觉，当疼痛非常剧烈且规律时，自然容易分娩。而且试痛与正产，也要等疼痛持续一段时间，观察其紧慢程度，才能分辨清楚，千万不可轻易准备分娩，坐草揉腰擦肚。站立时应稳站，坐着时应端正坐好，不可将身体左右摇摆扭动。须知此处要自己拿主意，别人替不了你，这是自己的性命相关，与别人毫无干涉。
到了这个时候，必须以养神惜力为主，能上床安睡，闭目养神最好；如果不能睡，临时起来，或者扶人缓行，或者扶床站立片刻，疼痛若稍缓解，又上床睡觉，总之以睡觉为第一妙法，但宜仰卧，使腹部宽舒，胎儿易于转动，且大人睡下，胎儿也随之睡下，转身更不费力。
大概大人应该爱惜体力，胎儿也应该爱惜体力，以等待最后时刻使用，切记，切记。无论早晚，都切不要轻易用力分娩，千万不要听接生婆说：“孩子的头已经在这里了”，以致过早用力而耽误大事，这是天地自然的造化之理。如果时机到了，胎儿自然会钻出来，何必着急？因为恐怕胎儿力气薄弱，在转身时已经用尽力气，等到到达产门时不能出来，或许会有这种情况。此时宜稍微用力一阵助之，则胎儿会自然地滑出，盖此时如同瓜熟蒂落，气血两分，浑身骨节一时全部张开，水到渠成，不需要勉强。等到生下后，即使是产母也不知道其中的奥妙了。
有人说：解大便时还需要用力，为什么生产不用力？不知大便中的糟粕必须依靠人力排出，而胎儿自己会转动。一定要等待它自行转动，不仅不必用力，反而切忌用力。因为胎儿端坐在腹中，等到出生时低头转身向下，腹中狭窄，别人即使有力也难以帮助，要听凭它自己慢慢转身到产门，头向下，脚向上，倒悬而出。如果胎儿未曾转身，就用力逼迫，则脚先出来，人们对此感到诧异，并且赠予美名叫做“脚踏莲花生”；或者转身未定之时，用力逼迫，则横卧腹中，一只手先出来，又名之为“讨盥生”；即使转身向下，略不直顺，用力略早也会或左或右，偏顶腿骨而不得出来。不知道这些弊病，都是因为时候未到，妄自用力的缘故。奉劝世人，万万不可用力，然而并非完全不用力，但当用力只有一盏茶的时间罢了。其余时间都不可乱动。就像大便未到其时，纵然用力也不能排出，何况是生产呢？
有人说：胎儿自己会钻出来的说法，到底不敢完全相信，不知古人是否曾提及？回答说：古人立言，不过是摄取其大要，怎么能事事都详尽言之，只要后人体会罢了。看“瓜熟蒂落”四个字，就知道胎儿自己会钻出来。看“揠苗助长”四个字，就知道把试痛认作正产的弊端了。应当观察孵小鸡和蚕蛾这两种生物，都是日子到了自然啄壳而出，哪里有催生之神药、接生婆之妙手呢？古话曾说有迟至三四年后才生的，这是因为不肯钻出来罢了，既然自己不肯钻出来，谁能强迫它？既然自己要钻出来，谁能阻挡它？
有人说：如此说来，早一时辰绝对不可以动了，不知晚不一时，是否有妨碍？回答说：没有妨碍。如果果当其时，必定没有不出来的道理。然而偶尔有不出来的，那是胎儿力气用尽，不能立即出来。应让产妇上床安睡，使胎儿在腹中也能安睡，歇息片刻，自然就生出来了。
有人说：倘若胎儿已到产门，而大人睡下，岂不有碍？回答说：更好。因为胎儿向下时，大人坐立，则胎儿就倒悬了，岂能久待？现在大人睡下，儿在腹中也能睡下，有何妨碍？又说：倘若闷坏了怎么办？回答说：他十个月都不闷，现在会闷吗？
有人说：不宜用力，已听到教诲了。不知因误用力导致横生倒产，有法治吗？回答说：有，急令安睡，用大剂量的加味芎归汤服用。将手脚缓缓托入，再睡一夜，自然生出来了。又说：托不进去怎么办？回答说：如果肯睡，再无不入的道理，如果到此时仍不肯睡，又何必动手动脚，乱吃方药，我也无可奈何了。
问：盘肠生是什么原因？回答说：这也是用力的过错。因为产母平时气虚，等到临产时用力努挣，浑身气血下注，导致肠子随之而下。一次如此，下次路数熟了，又复如此。如果能等待，瓜熟蒂落之时，怎么会有这种怪异之症呢？
问：有一种一痛便生，令人措手不及的情况，这是什么原因？回答说：这是正理，有什么可奇怪的？因为胎气已足，母子分离，胎儿自然要出来，谁想留住它却留不住，能耐得住，人人皆是如此。
问：临产时饮食如何？回答说：此时内心忧虑疑惑，腹中疼痛，甚至精神疲倦，口中无味，全要好饮食调理，但不宜过于肥腻。倘若不能进食，只将鸡鸭汤、肉汤之类，吹去油澄清，频频饮用，也能壮助精神。人以食为命，岂可一日缺乎。
问：试痛是什么原因？回答说：胎儿到七八个月时，手足五官齐全，已经能动弹，或者母腹有火，或者起居不时，令胎儿不安，因此大动而痛，这种情况十居其五，不足为奇，只宜照常稳食安眠，一二日自然安静。如果疼痛不止，可用安胎药，一二服自止。此后近则数日，远则月余，甚至再过三四个月才产，人多不知，轻易临盆。终日坐立，不让睡倒，或者拖腰擦肚，或者用手拖，或者用药打，生生将胎儿取出，母亲则九死一生，胎儿则十胎九夭，惨不可言，世间难产皆此故也。因为胎养不足，气血不全，如同割卵出雏，裂茧出蛹，哪能存活？只说小儿难养，谁又会根究到此？况且还有受寒及伤食腹痛者，人们也不可不知。
问：如何知道是试痛？回答说：只看疼痛规律，一阵紧一阵的是正产。一阵慢一阵，或乍紧乍慢，都是试痛。
问：伤食和受寒如何辨别？回答说：伤食者当脐而痛，用手按之则更痛；若寒痛则多在脐下，绵绵而痛，不增不减，得热物而即稍缓者，就是寒痛。
问：将试痛认作正产，害处如此之大，倘若将正产认作试痛，以致过时，不也有害吗？回答说：无害。果当其时，则小儿自会钻出来，纵或过时，也不过落在裤中，生在床上而已，有何大害，而如此谆谆告诫呢。
问：临产时有经验的催生之药也可用吗？回答说：不用从前那些奇方，莫过于鼠肾兔脑丸。今时盛行莫过回生丹，不是说它们无效而不用，而是总用不着罢了。既然不用力，又不动手，又有睡法佐之，胎儿自己会生，何消用药，纵有不顺，睡为上策。
问：前面提到的丸丹服用，有益无损吗？回答说：怎得无损？鼠兔二丸大耗气而兼损血，回生丹大破血而兼损气。因为鼠兔丸例用香窜之药，产时百脉解散，气血亏损，服用这种散气之药，儿已出而香气未消，其损害很多。且令毛窍开张，招风入内，祸不可言。回生丹以大黄、红花为君药，佐以消导之品，血已耗而又大破之，多致产后发热等疾病，遗患无穷。
这三方古今称为灵宝者，尚且如此，此外更不用说了。
问：临产催生之药害处既如此，总无可用之药吗？回答说：有，只须加味芎归汤、佛手散二方，用之不尽矣。因为胎产全要血足，血一足如舟之得水，何患不行？惟恐产母血少，又或胞浆早破，以致干涩。今二方皆大用芎归，使宿血顿去，新血骤生，药味随地皆有，且使身体壮健，产后无病，真正有益无损。此皆先贤洞明阴阳之理，制此神丹，以利济天下后世，奈世人贵耳，贱目以为平常而不用，必求奇怪之药而用之，只要奇怪，不论损益，岂不可叹。
In the summer during intense heat, the delivery room should be kept cool to prevent hot air from steaming and causing the parturient to suffer heat damage to the Qi level, resulting in headache, flushed face, and stupor resembling drunkenness. This often leads to Qi deficiency and inability to deliver. It is advisable to take Liu Yi San (Six-to-One Powder). The patient should also be placed in a cool room to dissipate heat; sleeping on verandas, water pavilions, bamboo mats, or bamboo beds is not recommended. If encountering fierce winds and rainy weather, one must also be cautious to avoid it.
During hot summers, one must worry about contracting Summerheat Sha (a sudden illness caused by summer heat). For those without symptoms, absolutely do not lightly try medicinal herbs. If there is no pain from blood clots, Sheng Hua Tang (Life-Birth Decoction) need not be taken either. If sudden abdominal pain occurs, one must first guard against Summerheat Sha. One can use the "twisting method" (pressing the skin to observe reactions) for testing: if the skin turns red immediately upon twisting, and becomes purple and raised after multiple twists, it is undoubtedly Summerheat Sha. Do not mistake it for blood clot pain. The twisting method should be used to unblock stagnant blood. Rice soup and porridge are strictly forbidden until the abdomen feels hungry, indicating that the Sha pathogen has subsided, at which point food can be consumed. Meals should be taken with slightly warm dry vegetable soup, avoiding sugar and greasy foods.
In winter, delivery requires warmth to prevent cold from causing blood coagulation and difficult labor. Prepare many charcoal stoves to warm the mother's waist, back, and lower body. Clothing should be warm, especially the lower body. Unfortunately, worldly customs often dictate that before labor, regardless of how cold it is, women remove their trousers early, wearing only a single skirt around the lower body. Poor families, lacking stoves, may experience prolonged freezing leading to blood coagulation and stagnation, causing the birth canal to tighten and harden, preventing the baby from coming out. In such cases, quickly decoct Xiong Gui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) with Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) for consumption. Continue using the stove to keep the waist and back warm, and delivery will occur. Another effective method is decocting a large basin of Zi Su Tang (Perilla Decoction) to fumigate and wash the vulva. Yet some people, unaware of this principle, blame difficult labor, which is unjust.
For deliveries in severe cold, prepare new, thick cotton pants with an open crotch beforehand. Wear them when labor begins so they do not need to be removed, avoiding cold-induced difficulty.
When initial abdominal pain starts, remain calm mentally. Understand this is a natural and easy process; do not panic. Observe if contractions become gradually tighter and more frequent; this indicates true labor. Only then inform others to assist. If pain is slow, it is likely false labor (prodromal labor). Rest and eat normally, do not move around. This stage is critical and must not be ignored. Mistaking false labor for true labor and preparing for delivery prematurely is a grave error. Endure pain as the priority. Whether false or true labor, rest and eat normally. When pain is intense and regular, delivery becomes easier. Distinguish between false and true labor by observing the duration and rhythm of pain. Do not hastily prepare for delivery, rub the waist, or massage the belly. Stand steadily and sit upright; do not sway the body. You must take charge yourself; others cannot do it for you. Your life is at stake, unrelated to others.
At this time, conserve energy and nourish the spirit. Sleeping in bed with eyes closed is best. If unable to sleep, get up, walk slowly with support, or stand holding the bed for a moment. If pain eases, return to sleep. Sleep is the best method, preferably supine to keep the abdomen relaxed and facilitate fetal movement. When the mother sleeps, the fetus also rests, making turning less strenuous. Both mother and fetus should conserve energy for the final effort. Remember this well. Regardless of timing, do not exert force prematurely. Do not listen to midwives saying "the head is here," which causes premature pushing and delays progress. This follows the natural law of heaven and earth. When the time is right, the fetus will emerge naturally. Anxiety arises from fear that the fetus lacks strength and exhausts itself turning, failing to exit the birth canal. At that specific moment, apply slight force to assist, and the baby will slide out naturally. Like a ripe melon falling from the vine, Qi and Blood separate, joints open, and things proceed smoothly without force. After birth, even the mother may not understand what happened.
Some ask: Defecation requires force, why not childbirth? Feces require manual expulsion, but the fetus moves itself. Wait for its natural movement; do not force it. The fetus sits upright in the womb, then lowers its head and turns downward for birth. The abdomen is narrow, making external assistance difficult. Let it turn slowly to the birth canal, head down, feet up, emerging upside down. If forced before turning, feet may emerge first ("Lotus Stepping Birth"). If forced while turning, the baby may lie transversely with a hand emerging first ("Basin Washing Birth"). Even if turning downward, premature force may cause the head to lodge against the pelvic bone. These complications arise from forcing too early. Advise everyone: do not force unnecessarily. However, total non-use of force is incorrect; force is needed only for the duration of drinking tea. Otherwise, do not move randomly. Just as feces won't pass if the time isn't right, neither will the baby.
Some doubt the claim that the fetus emerges naturally, asking if ancients mentioned this. Ancients summarized key principles, leaving details for later understanding. "Ripe melon falls" implies natural emergence. "Pulling shoots to help them grow" warns against mistaking prodromal labor for active labor. Observe chicks hatching or silkworms emerging; they act when ready. No magical drugs or skilled midwives are needed. Ancient texts mention births delayed by years because the fetus refuses to emerge; no one can force it, nor stop it if it chooses to come.
Some ask: Is delaying by an hour harmful? No. If the time is right, birth will happen. If it doesn't, the fetus may have exhausted its strength. Let the mother sleep so the fetus can rest and recover strength, then birth will occur naturally.
Some worry: If the fetus reaches the cervix and the mother lies down, is it obstructive? No, it is better. Sitting or standing keeps the fetus suspended, which is tiring. Lying down allows the fetus to rest. Some fear suffocation: The fetus hasn't suffocated in ten months; why now?
Some ask: Can malposition due to excessive force be treated? Yes. Immediately induce sleep and administer a large dose of Jia Wei Xiong Gui Tang (Modified Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction). Gently push limbs back inside, then sleep overnight for natural delivery. If they refuse to sleep, no amount of manipulation or medication will help.
Q: What causes prolapsed intestine (Pan Chang Sheng)? A: Excessive force. Chronic Qi deficiency combined with bearing down during labor causes Qi and Blood to sink, dragging the intestine out. Once this happens, it recurs easily. Waiting for the natural time prevents this.
Q: Why does some labor start suddenly with pain, catching people off guard? A: This is normal. Fetal vitality is full, mother and child separate, and the fetus exits naturally. Everyone experiences this if they endure.
Q: Diet during labor? A: Anxiety and pain cause fatigue and loss of taste. Nutritious food is needed, but avoid grease. If unable to eat, drink clarified chicken, duck, or meat broth frequently to boost spirit. Food is life; do not go without.
Q: Cause of prodromal labor? A: At 7-8 months, the fetus is fully formed and active. Maternal internal heat or irregular routine disturbs the fetus, causing movement and pain. This occurs in 50% of cases and is normal. Rest and eat normally; it settles in 1-2 days. If pain persists, use Tiao Tai (calming fetus) medicine. Labor may follow days, weeks, or months later. Many mistake this for active labor, staying awake, rubbing waists, or using drugs to extract the baby prematurely. This leads to near-death for the mother and high infant mortality. It results from insufficient fetal nourishment and incomplete Qi/Blood, akin to cutting open an egg to hatch a chick. People blame difficult infant care without investigating these causes. Also consider cold injury or food stagnation.
Q: How to identify prodromal labor? A: True labor has rhythmic, tightening contractions. Prodromal labor has irregular, alternating fast/slow patterns.
Q: Differentiate food stagnation vs. cold injury? A: Food stagnation causes periumbilical pain worsened by pressure. Cold injury causes dull, constant lower abdominal pain relieved by warmth.
Q: Is mistaking true labor for prodromal labor harmful? A: No. If the time is right, the baby comes out anyway, perhaps just onto the bed or clothes. Hence the emphasis on correct identification.
Q: Are experienced催产 (induction) drugs usable? A: Avoid ancient strange formulas like Shu Shen Tu Nao Wan (Mouse Kidney and Rabbit Brain Pill) or popular Hui Sheng Dan (Revival Pill). They are unnecessary. With rest and no force, the baby delivers naturally. Sleep is the best strategy for any difficulty.
Q: Are these pills beneficial without harm? A: Far from harmless. Mouse/Rabbit pills deplete Qi and Blood using aromatic, dispersing herbs. Postpartum vessels are open and Qi/Blood deficient; these herbs disperse further, leaving aromatic residues and opening pores to wind invasion. Hui Sheng Dan uses Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Hong Hua (Safflower) to violently break blood, worsening depletion and causing postpartum fever. These "precious" formulas are harmful; others are worse.
Q: Are there any safe induction drugs? A: Yes, Jia Wei Xiong Gui Tang and Fo Shou San (Buddha's Hand Powder). Pregnancy/delivery requires sufficient Blood. Sufficient Blood is like water for a boat; movement is assured. Fear lies in Blood deficiency or premature rupture of membranes causing dryness. These formulas use large doses of Xiong Gui to clear old blood and generate new blood. Ingredients are common, strengthen the body, prevent postpartum illness, and are truly beneficial without harm. Sages understood Yin-Yang principles to create these for humanity. Yet people ignore common remedies for strange ones, caring only for novelty, not benefit. How lamentable!