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During the time of childbirth, often only a few hours remain, presenting a critical situation involving the lives of both mother and child. Therefore, ancient physicians formulated many prescriptions; however, pregnancy and childbirth are the primary causes of severe depletion of Qi and Blood. The cause of dystocia (difficult labor) is half due to insufficiency of Qi and Blood; all postpartum diseases are entirely due to massive deficiency of Qi and Blood; all postpartum deficiencies stem from conditions before delivery. Unfortunately, formulas such as Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder), Tunaowan (Rabbit Brain Pill), and Huakui Yimu Fang (Sunflower Motherwort Formula) merely invigorate blood, regulate Qi, facilitate parturition, break stasis, warm orifices, and seek momentum for expulsion, completely ignoring the source of this expulsive force (Qi and Blood). If the parturient has sufficient vitality, these guiding formulas may aid easy delivery; but if Qi and Blood are insufficient, although there is the merit of guiding and inducing labor, there is no power in the medicine to drive the movement of Qi and Blood, so what benefit is there? As for holding Shiyan (Lithostrotion/Eelstone) or applying Ricinus communis seed paste to the feet, if encountering excess or smooth cases, one might use this to calm the mind and wait for the right time; but when Qi, Blood, and Spirit are extremely depleted, using such perfunctory methods while internal Shen-Qi is exhausted yields results like scratching an itch through a boot. Without regulating Qi and Blood, how can one forcibly use parturition-inducing agents as tools for driving physiological processes! Such approaches retain only empty names without practical effects, endangering lives in an instant—how painful! Only Dasheng San (Reaching Life Powder) is balanced in its formulation, yet it is suitable only for prenatal regulation; Shenghua Tang (Life-Generating Decoction) has profound intent but is suitable only for postpartum regulation; neither serves for emergency rescue or induction of labor. Now, comprehending the principles of these two formulas, I have combined them into one prescription to ensure utmost safety, which has proven highly effective upon repeated use, named Baochan Wanquan Tang (Preservation of Childbirth Ten-Thousand-Complete Decoction). My view prioritizes regulating and tonifying Qi and Blood, assisted by warming the middle, dissipating stasis, and directing downward. When Qi and Blood are strengthened, they naturally promote physiological function to induce labor; this is "induction without forcing." Thus, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) are used as Sovereign herbs to cultivate and tonify Qi and Blood, strengthening the foundation. A small amount of Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), Hei Jiang (Scorched Zingiberis Rhizoma), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Jiu Hong Hua (Safflower fried with wine) are added to warm the middle and dissipate stasis. Niu Xi Shao (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix tip) and Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Cortex heartwood) warm and guide downward, preventing adverse upward rushing to the Heart. This not only induces labor with divine efficacy but also treats postpartum blood stasis; tonification combined with warming prevents stagnation, while warming combined with tonification prevents metrorrhagia. With less ascending and more descending action, Qi becomes substantial and easily descends; Yin combined with ascending action ensures stasis clears and new blood returns. Tonification exceeds purgation, so pathogens leave without damaging Yuan Qi; bitterness is minimal while sweetness is abundant, so stasis is driven away while the Middle Harmonizing Qi remains. Driven by an urgent desire to save lives, I respectfully establish this formula, hoping for the discernment of experts.

Ren Shen (3-5 qian, greatly tonifies Original Qi as Sovereign) Dang Gui (remove radix head, 3 qian, further nourishes Ying-Blood as Minister) Chuan Xiong (1 qian, enters Liver channel to relieve stagnation; slightly reducing its ascending nature allows descending medicines to be effective) Tao Ren (13 seeds, skin and tips retained, crushed; bitter removes old stasis, sweet generates new blood, slippery moistens and directs downward) Gan Jiang (scorched yellow, 3 qian, warmth circulates Blood aspect; charring directs downward and curbs ascending) Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried, 6 fen, moderates interior nature, allowing Middle Jiao to receive tonification without immediate sinking) Niu Xi Shao (2 qian, descends and traverses the twelve meridians, clearing meridian congestion so Qi and Blood generate momentum for expulsion) Hong Hua (wine-fried, 3 fen, large doses break blood, small doses invigorate blood and generate new) Rou Gui (bark removed just before decoction, chopped, 6 fen, 8 fen in winter; acts as a guiding herb leading other medicines directly into the Blood aspect, dissipates stasis facilitating delivery, and provides warmth for circulation) Add one Jiao Zao (Ziziphus jujuba fruit preserved with glue), decoct in water, take warm before meals. If the parturient is robust or unable to tolerate Ren Shen, omit it. Its efficacy still far exceeds that of Foshou San.