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As the sovereign herb; if panting and difficult urination occur, use Fangji San (Stephania Decoction); if damp-heat is abundant, stir-fry Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) alone into powder, mix with rice water for ingestion, or take Gardeniae Fructus Pills alone.

Abnormal abdominal enlargement is also a cause for worry;
During the fifth to sixth month of pregnancy, if the abdomen enlarges abnormally, rising above the heart and chest, with rebellious qi and restlessness, this is caused by fluid accumulation in the fetus. If not treated early, it will inevitably result in the child having soft and short limbs, physical disabilities, or death immediately after birth, endangering both mother and child. Liyu Tang (Carp Decoction) is suitable, taken until swelling subsides and fluid dissipates. Regularly cook and eat carp porridge.

There are cases of swollen feet or leaking fluid, due to excessive amniotic fluid flowing downward.
From the seventh to eighth month of pregnancy, if both feet are edematous but the head and face are not, this is due to dampness from amniotic fluid flowing downward. Mild edema facilitates delivery, called "Zhoujiao" (Wrinkled Foot); severe edema is treated with Pingwei San (Regulate the Stomach Powder) plus Papaya Fructus (Mugua); if complicated by external contraction, use Binsu San (Betel Leaf and Perilla Powder). If swelling extends from the feet to the knees and legs, accompanied by panting, chest oppression, and poor appetite, even with yellow fluid oozing from between toes, it is called "Ziqi" (Fetal Qi), treated with Tianxian Teng San (Akebia Vine Powder); for swelling in the feet and waist, use Shenzhuo Tang (Kidney Fixation Decoction); for swelling in hands and feet, use Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou) and Mulberry Root Bark (Sangbaipi) in equal amounts, decocted in water; add Phytolaccae Radix (Shanglu) for severe cases.

Stroke during pregnancy is called "Zixian" (Fetal Convulsion), caused solely by weak constitution exposed to wind-cold. Upon onset, there is jaw clenching, phlegm-saliva obstruction, occasional fainting, and fetal instability.
Weak constitution exposed to wind damages the Taiyang meridians; subsequent exposure to wind-cold causes onset with jaw clenching, back stiffness, abundant phlegm-saliva, fainting with loss of consciousness, alternating periods of wakefulness and unconsciousness. This is called "Eryun" (Fetal Faintness), also known as "Zixian," or "Chibing" (Spasm disease). In severe cases, opisthotonos occurs; treat with the principle of Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction). For severe cases, Lingyangjiao Tang (Antelope Horn Decoction); for mild cases, Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) plus Puerariae Radix (Gegen), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Asari Radix (Xixin), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Bamboo Juice (Zhuli). Add Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), Poria (Fuling), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) for phlegm, or Gu Xionghuo San (Ancient Xiong Huo Powder). If struck by wind-cold, causing whole-body pain, alternating chills and fever, fetal restlessness, dizziness, headache, cold below the umbilicus, urine white like rice washings or greenish-yellow, shivering, cold sensation in the waist, and blurred vision, use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) minus Poria, plus Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo), Leek White (Jiu Bai), decocted with Ginger, mixed with wine. For unconsciousness, use Jingjie San (Schizonepeta Powder) alone.

Zilin (Pregnancy Dysuria) involves heat in the bladder and difficult urination.
Dietary heat accumulation in the bladder during pregnancy leads to urinary retention and difficulty, also called "Ziman" (Fetal Fullness). Use Gu Xionggui Tang (Ancient Xiong Gui Decoction) plus Akebia Caulis (Mutong), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), and Juncus Effusus (Dengxin). Near term, add Talcum (Huashi) as the sovereign herb. For intense heat, use Wulin San (Five Dysuries Powder).
If the cause is internal injury from sexual exertion damaging the uterine gate, with deficiency in Chong and Ren meridians, use Siwu Tang combined with Liujunzi Tang, or Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill).
In severe cases, constipation of both stool and urine occurs;
Heat accumulation in zang-fu organs causing blockage of stool and urine: use Red Poria (Chifuling) and Aurantii Fructus (Zhike) in equal amounts, Daful Pi (Areca Peel) and Gancao at half dose, decocted with Scallion White (Congbai); or Siwu Tang plus Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Houpo, and Zhike. Heat in the uterus causing urinary retention, heavy body, aversion to cold, and dizziness: use Abutili Semen (Dongkuizi) and Chifuling powdered equally, mixed with rice water.

Zhupao (Displaced Bladder) involves painful urinary retention.
Zhupao refers to the twisting of the bladder ligament, causing acute pain below the umbilicus and urinary retention. It often occurs in those with weak constitution, irritable temperament, or who consume rich foods. During pregnancy, the fetus presses on the bladder, displacing it to one side, twisting the ligament. Lifting the fetus allows the bladder to return and flow to resume. Use Siwu Tang combined with Liujunzi Tang, minus Poria, induce vomiting to lift the fetus. Apply similarly for non-pregnant cases; do not rely solely on slippery/diuretic herbs. For those previously obese who suddenly lose weight with absent Chi pulses, indicating Yin deficiency, use Shenqi Wan. Severe cases: Dongkuizi, Chifuling, and Red Peony Root (Chishao) decocted equally, with a little Ash of Human Hair (Fahui). For heat, use Gu Qinshu Tang combined with Yiyuan San. Another method: hold the pregnant woman upside down; if the fetus does not drop, urine flows naturally. Postpartum bladder displacement or prolapse: crush Scallion White on the navel and moxa; immediate effect. Medicinal treatment is similar to antenatal conditions.

Enuresis with red or white urine requires differentiation.
For enuresis during pregnancy, ancient formulas use Glehniae Radix (Baiwei) and White Peony Root (Baishao) powdered equally, 3 qian per dose, taken with wine. However, differentiate deficiency and heat: red urine indicates heat, treat with Gu Qinshu Tang plus Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu) and Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi); white urine indicates deficiency, use Antai Yin (Fetus-Soothing Drink) or Jisi Bai San (Chicken Dropping Powder).

Ziyin (Pregnancy Aphonia) involves abdominal rumbling, laughing, and crying.
Sudden loss of voice in the third to fifth month of pregnancy is due to isolation of the uterine collateral vessels. The uterus connects to the Kidney, and the Kidney meridian passes through the tongue; this is not treatable by medicine and resolves spontaneously after delivery. For abdominal sounds like bell ringing or crying: take soil from rat holes in empty houses for many years, powder it, take with wine or hold in mouth. For fetal crying sounds: drink concentrated decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), or Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) is also good. For Zangzao (Organ Agitation) with sadness, weeping, vomiting, or bleeding: decoct Hordei Fructus Germinatus (Damai), Gancao, and Jujubae Fructus (Zao). For spontaneous laughing/crying: roast Red Dates (Hongzao) until carbonized, mix with rice water.

Smallpox/Rash triggering fetal movement leads to certain death;
If smallpox/rash occurs before delivery, using harsh drugs to trigger fetal movement, depleting blood and qi, results in death. See Smallpox/Rash section.

Various syndromes arise from damp, phlegm, wind, heat, and deficiency; expelling evil and protecting the fetus is the true mantra.
If the pregnant woman's Spleen Earth fails to transport, dampness arises, generating phlegm, then heat, then wind. Zizhong (Fetal Edema) is damp; Ezu (Morning Sickness) is phlegm; Zifen (Fetal Irritability) and Zilin are heat; Zixian is wind; Zixuan (Fetal Distension) is qi stagnation; Zhupao is deficiency. Clear heat, leach out dampness, resolve phlegm, regulate qi, disperse wind, tonify deficiency. Treat complications simultaneously, combining expelling evil and protecting the fetus, ensuring safety for both mother and child.

Dietary taboos must also be known.
Eating chicken with glutinous rice causes the child to develop tapeworms; eating dog meat causes the child to be mute; eating carp with eggs causes skin ulcers; eating rabbit meat causes cleft lip; eating sheep liver causes misfortune; eating turtle meat causes short neck and retracted head; eating duck with mulberries causes breech presentation and cold heart; eating fresh fish with bullfrog causes aphonia; eating sparrow meat with soybean paste causes freckles; eating crab causes transverse lie; eating ginger sprouts causes polydactyly; drinking ice slush causes sterility; eating sparrow meat with alcohol causes promiscuity and shamelessness; eating Colocasia esculenta (Cigu) dissipates fetal qi; eating donkey or horse meat causes post-term difficult labor; eating soybean paste with Huocai causes abortion; eating goat meat causes frequent illness in the child; eating loach, eel, or scaleless fish causes difficult labor; eating various mushrooms causes infantile convulsions and early death; eating sparrow brain causes night blindness. Do not recklessly take herbal decoctions, do not recklessly use acupuncture/moxibustion, do not overdrink, do not lift heavy objects or climb heights.
Great fright in the mother causes epilepsy in the child. Do not sleep too much; walk frequently in small amounts to move and harmonize blood and qi. Do not overexert, causing Kidney Qi deficiency, leading to craniolysis (open fontanelle) and unclosed skull. Keep clothing warm but not too hot, food filling but not too full. If Spleen/Stomach disharmony and Ying/Wei deficiency occur, the child will be emaciated and sickly. Beware.

Changing gender are ancient superstitions.
The sex of the child is determined by the profound mystery of Yin and Yang creation. Ancient methods within two months of conception placed an axe under the bed and hung bow and arrow on the wall, as these are male implements, without letting others know. Skeptics were told that placing an axe under a hen's nest yields only roosters. Thus, prenatal education advises seeing nobles, following this logic.
Wear 1-2 liang of Realgar (Xionghuang) on the left side of the pregnant woman, or Daylily (Xuanhua) is also acceptable. All three methods are effective; choose one. Later theories mention monthly/hourly fetal killing times; while not rigid, doors, beds, and stoves should not be moved lightly. Those seeking heirs should be especially cautious.