产难者，或先因漏胎，去血脏燥，或子脏宿挟疹病，或触禁忌，或始觉腹痛，产时未到
，便即惊动，秽露早下，致子道干涩，产发力疲，皆令难也。
候其产妇，舌青者，儿死母活；唇青口青，口两边沫出者，子母俱死；面青舌赤，沫出
者，母死子活。故将产坐卧产处，须顺四时方面，并避五行禁忌，若有犯触，多令产难。
产妇腹痛而腰不痛者，未产也；若腹痛连腰甚者，即产。所以然者，肾候于腰，胞系于
肾故也。
诊其尺脉，转急如切绳转珠者，即产也。
横产由初觉腹痛，产时未至，惊动伤早，儿转未竟，便用力产之，故令横也。或触犯禁
忌所为。将产坐卧产处，须顺四时方面，并避五行禁忌，若触犯，多致灾祸也。
逆产者，初觉腹痛，产时未至，惊动伤早，儿转未竟，便用力产之，则令逆逆也。或触犯
禁忌所为。故产处及坐卧，须顺四时方面，并避五行禁忌，若触犯，多致灾祸。
《养生方》云∶妊娠，大小便勿至非常之去处，必逆产杀人也。
妊娠将养得所，则气血调和，故儿在胎则安，当产亦易。若节适失宜，则血气乖理，儿
在胎则亟动，至产育亦难。产而子上迫于心者，由产难用力，胎动气逆，胎上冲迫于心也。
凡胎上迫心，则暴闷绝，胎下乃苏，甚者至死。凡产处及坐卧，须顺四时方面，并避五行禁
忌，若有触犯，多致灾祸也。
难产，有的因为先前漏胎（妊娠期阴道少量出血），导致失血过多、子宫干燥；有的因为子宫原本夹杂疹病（妇科慢性炎症或病变）；有的因为触犯禁忌；有的在刚开始感到腹痛时，分娩时间还未到，就惊慌躁动，导致羊水早破，致使产道干涩，分娩时用力过猛而疲劳，这些情况都会导致难产。
观察产妇，如果舌头发青，是胎儿已死而母亲存活；如果嘴唇发青、舌头发青，且口角流出泡沫，是母子双亡；如果面色发青、舌头发赤，且口角流出泡沫，是母亲死亡而胎儿存活。因此，临产前坐卧于产房，必须顺应四季的方向，并避开五行相克的禁忌，如果有触犯，大多会导致难产。
产妇如果只有腹痛而腰部不痛，说明尚未真正临产；如果腹痛牵连腰部且疼痛剧烈，就是即将分娩。之所以这样，是因为肾气反映在腰部，而胞宫（子宫）系属于肾的缘故。
诊察尺脉，如果脉搏跳动急促，像切按绳索或转动珠子一样紧实有力，就是即将分娩。
横产是因为刚感觉到腹痛，分娩时间未到，因惊慌躁动而过早用力，胎儿转身尚未完成，就强行用力分娩，所以导致胎儿横位。这也是由于触犯了禁忌所致。临产前坐卧于产房，必须顺应四季的方向，并避开五行相克的禁忌，如果触犯，多会带来灾祸。
逆产（臀位或足位先露）是因为刚感觉到腹痛，分娩时间未到，因惊慌躁动而过早用力，胎儿转身尚未完成，就强行用力分娩，从而导致胎位不正。这也是由于触犯了禁忌所致。因此，分娩场所及坐卧之处，必须顺应四季的方向，并避开五行相克的禁忌，如果触犯，多会带来灾祸。《养生方》说：妊娠期间，大小便不要到非常规的地方去，否则必然导致逆产并危及生命。
妊娠期间的调养得当，则气血调和，所以胎儿在宫内安稳，分娩时也容易。如果节制适宜方面失当，则气血紊乱，胎儿在宫内就会频繁躁动，到了分娩时也会困难。分娩时胎儿上迫于心，是由于难产时过度用力，导致胎动气逆，胎气上冲压迫心脏。凡是胎气上迫于心，就会突然昏闷厥逆，待胎位下降后才会苏醒，严重的甚至会导致死亡。凡是分娩场所及坐卧之处，必须顺应四季的方向，并避开五行相克的禁忌，如果有触犯，多会带来灾祸。
Dystocia (Difficult Labor) may arise from prior leakage of the fetus (threatened miscarriage with vaginal bleeding), leading to blood loss and dryness of the Zang organs; or from pre-existing pathogenic factors in the Zi Zang (uterus); or from violating taboos; or from feeling abdominal pain initially, before the time for delivery has arrived, causing panic and agitation, leading to premature rupture of membranes (early discharge of turbid fluids), resulting in dryness and friction of the birth canal, exhaustion from excessive effort during labor, all of which contribute to difficult labor.
When observing the parturient woman, if the tongue is cyanotic, it indicates that the fetus is dead while the mother survives; if the lips and tongue are cyanotic, and foam issues from the corners of the mouth, it indicates death of both mother and fetus; if the face is cyanotic and the tongue is red, with foam issuing from the mouth, it indicates death of the mother while the fetus survives. Therefore, when preparing for labor, sitting or lying in the birthing place must follow the directions corresponding to the four seasons, and avoid taboos related to the Five Elements. If these are violated, dystocia is likely to occur.
If the parturient woman experiences abdominal pain without lower back pain, labor has not yet begun; if abdominal pain radiates to the lower back and is severe, labor is imminent. This is because the Kidney manifests in the lower back, and the Bao Gong (uterus) is connected to the Kidney.
Palpating the Chi pulse (cun-kou pulse position at the wrist), if the pulse is rapid and tense like cutting a rope or rolling pearls, labor is imminent.
Breech presentation (transverse lie) occurs when abdominal pain is first felt, but the time for delivery has not arrived; due to panic and early exertion, the fetus has not completed turning, and forceful pushing leads to a transverse position. This may also result from violating taboos. When preparing for labor, sitting or lying in the birthing place must follow the directions corresponding to the four seasons, and avoid taboos related to the Five Elements. Violations often lead to disaster.
Malpresentation (breech or footling) occurs when abdominal pain is first felt, but the time for delivery has not arrived; due to panic and early exertion, the fetus has not completed turning, and forceful pushing leads to abnormal fetal positioning. This may also result from violating taboos. Therefore, the birthing place and areas for sitting or lying must follow the directions corresponding to the four seasons, and avoid taboos related to the Five Elements. Violations often lead to disaster. The *Yangsheng Fang* states: During pregnancy, urination and defecation should not occur in irregular places, otherwise malpresentation will occur, endangering life.
If pregnancy is nurtured properly, Qi and Blood will be harmonious, ensuring fetal stability in utero and ease during delivery. If regulation and moderation are improper, Qi and Blood will become disordered, causing frequent fetal movement in utero and difficulty during delivery. When the fetus presses upward against the Heart during labor, it is due to excessive effort in dystocia, causing fetal agitation and rebellious Qi, with fetal Qi rushing upward to oppress the Heart. Whenever fetal Qi oppresses the Heart, sudden syncope and coma occur; consciousness returns only after the fetus descends. Severe cases may result in death. In all instances, the birthing place and areas for sitting or lying must follow the directions corresponding to the four seasons, and avoid taboos related to the Five Elements. Violations often lead to disaster.