凡横逆等证,则当以手法为治。收生之人,择老成良善,临期须心平气和,施以妙手,
亦宜直言叮咛,详尽其意乃可。不可用躁性之徒,恣其粗愚,因而伤命。如横产,谓儿先露
手或臂者。治法当令产母安于仰卧,收生之人,徐徐先推儿下截令直上,渐通手以中指摩其
肩推上而正之,渐引手攀其耳令头正。候儿身正,门路顺,却投催生药,安详上草,自然易
产。若逆产,谓儿先露足者。治法亦令产母仰卧,分毫不得用力,亦不得惊恐,收生之人,
徐徐推其足就一边直上,候儿自顺,若良久不顺,又渐渐推儿头就一边令其顺下。待儿身转
顺,门路正当,却用催生之药,即产。又如偏产,谓儿头偏拄一旁,虽逼近产门,初非露正
顶,止露额角者,治法亦令产母仰卧,收生之人轻轻推儿近上,以手正其头,令儿头顶端正
向产门。又有儿头后骨偏拄谷道者,当以绵衣炙焙令热,裹手,急于谷道外旁徐徐推之,渐
渐近上,然后上草。至如碍产,谓儿头虽正产门,而不能生下者,或因儿转,脐带樊挂其肩,
致不能生者。治法令产母仰卧,收生之人轻推儿近上,徐徐通手引中指按儿两肩,理脱脐带,
儿正即产。又有坐产,谓儿将欲生,产母疲倦,不能行立,久坐椅蓐,抵儿生路,不能下生
者。治法当于高处悬吊手巾或绢帛一条,令产母手攀,轻轻屈足,良久儿即顺生。更有盘肠
产者,临分娩产肠先出,儿即随产,俗用冷水啜产母面,其肠自收。此法虚弱之人切不可用,
恐惊怯成病,或即脱绝。旧法以蓖麻子四十九粒,研烂涂脑顶,自然收上,如收上,即以水
洗去顶上蓖麻。又有久而其肠为风吹干,不能收者,以磨刀水少许,火上温过,以润其肠,
煎好磁石汤一杯,令产母服下,其肠自收矣。补中汤 养新血,去瘀血,补虚扶危。治月未
满半产。干姜(炮) 阿胶(锉,蛤粉炒) 芎 五味子(各一两) 白术 黄 (去芦,
蜜水
炙) 当归(去芦,酒浸) 赤芍药(各一两半) 人参 木香(不见火) 杜仲(去皮,
锉,炒) 甘
草(炙
上锉散。每服四钱,水一盏半煎,通口服,不拘时候。
For difficult labor conditions such as transverse presentation and breech presentation, manual manipulation should be employed for treatment. The midwife should be selected from among those who are mature, reliable, and kind-hearted. During the delivery process, she must remain calm and composed, applying skillful techniques. It is also appropriate to speak frankly and give earnest instructions, ensuring that all intentions are explained in detail before proceeding. One must not employ impulsive or reckless individuals whose crudeness and ignorance may endanger lives.
Transverse presentation refers to a situation where the fetus presents with its hand or arm first. The treatment method requires the mother to lie comfortably on her back. The midwife should slowly push the lower part of the fetus upward to straighten it. Gradually inserting a finger, the midwife uses the middle finger to massage the shoulder, pushing it up to correct the position, and then gently guides the hand to grasp the ear to align the head. Once the fetal body is aligned and the birth canal is clear, administer labor-inducing herbs. The mother should ascend the birthing bed calmly, and natural delivery will follow easily.
Breech presentation refers to a situation where the fetus presents with its feet first. The treatment method also involves having the mother lie on her back. She must exert no effort whatsoever and avoid panic. The midwife should slowly push the feet to one side to straighten them, waiting for the fetus to naturally adjust. If there is no improvement after a long time, the midwife should gradually push the fetal head to one side to facilitate downward adjustment. Once the fetal body turns smoothly and the birth canal is properly aligned, use labor-inducing drugs, and delivery will occur immediately.
Oblique presentation refers to a situation where the fetal head is tilted against one side. Although close to the vaginal opening, the vertex (top of the head) is not presenting; only the forehead corner is visible. The treatment method also involves having the mother lie on her back. The midwife should gently push the fetus upward and use her hands to correct the head, ensuring the fetal vertex faces the vaginal opening directly.
In cases where the posterior bone of the fetal head presses obliquely against the anus, warm a piece of cotton clothing by roasting it, wrap it around the hand, and quickly and gently push from the side of the anus, gradually moving upward, before allowing the mother to ascend the birthing bed.
Impeded labor refers to a situation where the fetal head is correctly positioned at the vaginal opening but cannot descend. This may be due to the fetus turning and the umbilical cord wrapping around or catching the shoulder, preventing delivery. The treatment method involves having the mother lie on her back. The midwife should gently push the fetus upward, insert a finger, and use the middle finger to press on both shoulders of the fetus to untangle and free the umbilical cord. Once the fetus is aligned, delivery will proceed.
Sitting labor refers to a situation where the fetus is about to be born, but the mother is exhausted and unable to walk or stand. By sitting for a long time on the chair or bedding, she obstructs the birth canal, preventing the fetus from descending. The treatment method is to hang a towel or silk cloth from a high place, allowing the mother to hold onto it. She should gently bend her legs, and after a while, the fetus will be born smoothly.
There is also a condition known as "intestine-prolapse labor," where the uterus/intestines prolapse before the baby is born, and the baby is delivered subsequently. Folk practice often involves splashing cold water on the mother's face, which causes the prolapsed tissue to retract spontaneously. However, this method must never be used for weak patients, as it may cause illness due to shock and fear, or even lead to sudden death. An old method involves grinding forty-nine castor beans into a paste and applying it to the crown of the head, which naturally causes retraction. Once retracted, wash the castor bean residue off the head with water. In cases where the prolapsed tissue has been dried by wind over a long period and cannot retract, apply a small amount of sharpening water, warmed over fire, to moisten the tissue. Then, prepare a cup of Magnetite Decoction (Cishi Tang) and have the mother drink it; the tissue will naturally retract.
Buzhong Tang (Tonify the Middle Decoction): Nourishes new blood, removes blood stasis, tonifies deficiency, and supports critical conditions. It treats spontaneous abortion occurring within half a month postpartum (or incomplete abortion).
Ingredients:
Ganjiang (Pao) (Prepared Rhizoma Zingiberis), Ejiao (Chopped, stir-fried with donkey-hide gelatin powder), Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Wuweizi (Each 1 liang), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huangqi (De-radix, honey-fried), Danggui (De-radix, wine-soaked), Chishao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) (Each 1.5 liang), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, not exposed to direct fire), Duzhong (De-bark, chopped, stir-fried), Gancao (Stir-fried with honey).
Preparation: Grind the above ingredients into coarse powder. For each dose, take 4 qian, decoct with 1.5 sheng of water, and take orally. There are no restrictions on the timing of administration.