生育者，妇人之常，非病则不必药。惟素有难产之苦，
不得不请求其方，以为保生之计。然束胎之方，用各不同，如瘦胎散，气实、多痰者宜之。若束胎丸，气虚、
有热者宜之。倘不审其虚实，不若不服之为愈也。
瘦胎散
枳壳（麸炒，二两） 香附（制） 甘草（炒，各二两）
上为末，每服二钱，空心白汤调下。
束胎丸
白术（蜜炙，三两） 条芩（酒炒、勿太熟。春冬用五钱、秋七钱、夏用一两） 陈皮（二两） 茯苓（七钱五分）
为末，粥糊丸，每服五十丸，白汤下。
生产一事，造化自然之理。本古今常事，而人人认为难事。时至自生不必忧疑，而人人抱乎忧疑者，总由
此理未明也。造化原不令人难生，人多不知调摄因而难生；造化原不令人逆生，人多慌忙逼迫因而逆生。难逆两
端关系二命，倘平时不知讲求，则临产必至误事。为夫君者，宜于平时家中谈论，令妇女习闻知熟，有孕知调
护，临产有主张，不慌忙，无疑惧，自无难产之患，以受胎后论即不能如古人胎教。凡可禁忌者（详见安胎上
卷），亦宜省悟，以临产时论胎至十月形完。气壮手足必动，动则母腹必痛，痛急则胞衣必破，子自出胎而生。
若不忍耐顺时，见其腹痛半日一日不产，即谓难生。不知是胞衣未破，子未出胎。若不忍耐，催其速生，一催
之间因多误事。故临产切不可慌张，即一二日，三五日无妨，总宜安心定气，任其自然娩。强忍痛，进其饮食，
要坐则坐，要行则行，要睡则睡。莫听稳婆，逼迫用力太早，自己勿求速，旁人亦勿多言，惊慌恐惧以乱其心，
时至自然分娩。
生育是妇女的生理常态，并非疾病则无需用药。只有那些素来有难产之苦的人，才不得不寻求方剂，作为保全母婴平安的措施。然而，束胎（通过调理使胎儿变小、易于分娩）的方剂，用法各不相同。例如瘦胎散，适用于气实、多痰体质者；若是束胎丸，则适用于气虚、有热体质者。如果不审察体质的虚实，不如不服药更为妥当。
瘦胎散
枳壳（麸炒，二两） 香附（制） 甘草（炒，各二两）
以上药物研为细末，每次服用二钱，空腹时用白开水调服。
束胎丸
白术（蜜炙，三两） 条芩（酒炒，不要炒得太熟。春冬季节用五钱、秋季七钱、夏季一两） 陈皮（二两） 茯苓（七钱五分）
研为细末，用米粥糊制作成丸剂，每次服用五十丸，用白开水送下。
生产这件事，是自然界造化的常理。本是古今常见的平常事，但人人都认为是难事。到了预产期自然就会分娩，不必担忧疑虑，而人们却总是抱有担忧疑虑，总归是因为不明白这个道理。造化原本不让人难产，人多因不知调养摄生而导致难产；造化原本不让人逆产（胎位不正或产程异常），人多因慌忙逼迫而导致逆产。“难”和“逆”两端关系到两条性命，如果平时不知道讲求相关知识，那么临产时必然会导致误事。做丈夫的，宜在平时家中谈论这些知识，让妇女听熟了，怀孕时知道调养护理，临产时有主见，不慌张，没有疑惧，自然就没有难产的祸患。从受孕后论起，即使不能像古人那样进行胎教，凡是可禁忌的事项（详见安胎上卷），也应当醒悟并遵守。就临产时而言，胎儿到十月形体完备，气血壮盛，手足必定会动，一动则母腹必痛，痛急则胞衣（胎盘/羊膜）必破，孩子自然出胎而生。如果不能忍耐顺应天时，见其腹痛半天一天还没生出来，就说是难产。不知道这是胞衣未破，孩子还未出胎。如果不能忍耐，催促其快速出生，一次催促之间便容易因多误事。所以临产时切不可慌张，即使一两天、三五天无妨，总宜安心定气，任凭其自然娩出。强忍疼痛，进食饮食，要坐则坐，要行则行，要睡则睡。不要听信稳婆（接生婆），逼迫用力太早，自己不要追求速生，旁人也不要多言，惊慌恐惧以扰乱其心神，时机到了自然分娩。
Childbearing is a normal physiological state for women; if it is not a disease, medication is unnecessary. Only those who have historically suffered from difficult labor need to seek prescriptions as a measure to ensure the safety of both mother and child. However, formulas for "binding the fetus" (regulating the pregnancy to facilitate easier delivery) vary in application. For instance, Shoutai San (Slimming Fetus Powder) is suitable for individuals with excess Qi and excessive phlegm. If one has deficiency of Qi and heat, Shutai Wan (Binding Fetus Pill) is appropriate. If the deficiency or excess constitution is not assessed, it is better not to take any medicine than to take the wrong one.
Shoutai San (Slimming Fetus Powder)
Zhiqiao (Bupleuri Fructus, bran-fried, 2 liang), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma, processed), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, fried, each 2 liang).
Grind these into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with plain boiled water on an empty stomach.
Shutai Wan (Binding Fetus Pill)
Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, honey-fried, 3 liang), Tiaohuang (Scutellariae Radix, wine-fried, do not overcook. Use 5 qian in spring/winter, 7 qian in autumn, 1 liang in summer), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 2 liang), Fuling (Poria, 7 qian 5 fen).
Grind into powder, bind with congee paste to form pills. Take 50 pills per dose with plain boiled water.
Childbirth is a natural process of creation. It is a common occurrence throughout history, yet everyone regards it as a difficult matter. When the time comes, birth happens naturally without need for worry or doubt. The reason people harbor such worries is simply that they do not understand this principle. Nature does not intend for childbirth to be difficult; people often cause difficulty by failing to regulate their lifestyle and diet. Nature does not intend for abnormal presentation or position (nishi); people often cause abnormalities through panic and forced intervention. Both difficult and abnormal births endanger two lives. If one does not study these matters beforehand, mistakes are inevitable during labor. Husbands should discuss these topics at home so that women become familiar with them. During pregnancy, they should know how to care for themselves; during labor, they should remain decisive, unpanicked, and free of doubt, thereby avoiding the risks of difficult labor. Even if modern prenatal education cannot match that of the ancients, one should still heed all contraindications (see Volume 1 on An Tai) and remain vigilant. Regarding the moment of birth: when the fetus reaches ten months, its form is complete, and its Qi and blood are robust. Its hands and feet will move, causing abdominal pain. As the pain intensifies, the membranes (baoyi) will rupture, and the child will be born naturally. If one cannot endure and accept the natural timing, and sees abdominal pain lasting half a day or a day without delivery, one might mistakenly assume it is difficult labor. In reality, the membranes may not have ruptured, and the child has not yet emerged. Impatience and urging rapid delivery can lead to errors. Therefore, during labor, one must not panic. Whether it takes one or two days, or three to five days, it is acceptable. One should maintain a calm mind and let nature take its course. Endure the pain, eat and drink, sit when needed, walk when needed, sleep when needed. Do not listen to midwives (wenpo) who urge pushing too early. Do not seek speed yourself, nor should bystanders speak excessively, causing panic and fear that disturbs the mind. When the time is right, delivery will occur naturally.