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If a woman's menstruation has ceased for three months, or if the pulse does not correspond to the symptoms, or if menstruation occurs occasionally, it is necessary to verify pregnancy. Use Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) ground into fine powder, mixed with decoction of Artemisia Argyi Herba (Ai Ye, Mugwort), taken on an empty stomach in a dose of two qian. If there is slight movement in the abdomen, pregnancy is confirmed; if there is no movement, it is not pregnancy.

After conception, one must strictly avoid certain foods: consuming chicken eggs and glutinous rice may cause the child to develop tapeworms (Cestoda); eating sheep liver may make the child prone to illness; eating carp may lead to infantile malnutrition syndrome (Gan Syndrome); eating dog meat may cause the child to be mute; eating rabbit meat may result in cleft lip; eating soft-shelled turtle may cause a short neck; eating duck may cause "cold heart" in the child; eating crab often leads to breech presentation; eating sparrow meat may predispose the child to lustful behavior; eating bean paste may induce asthma in the child; eating wild beast meat may cause rare diseases in the child; eating ginger may result in polydactyly; eating frogs and eels may cause leprosy-like skin conditions; eating mule meat... All such prohibitions are effective and should be deeply observed.

There are dozens of verses regarding medicinal contraindications during pregnancy. In reality, there are even more. However, drugs such as Mylabris (Ban Mao), Hirudo (Shui Zhi), Ophichthys Skin (She Tui), Scolopendra (Wu Gong), Mercury (Shui Yin), Realgar (Xin Shi), and Arsenic Trioxide (Pi Shuang) are not commonly used items and are set aside for now. Here, we specifically select those that are easily mistaken and compile a few lines of verse to remind physicians to remain vigilant and avoid errors. Other bizarre and hazardous substances should naturally be avoided during pregnancy without need for further explanation.

Aconite Root (Wutou), Prepared Aconite Lateral Root (Fuzi), and Aconitum Lateral Root (Tianxiong); Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang), Croton Seed (Badou), and Peach Kernel (Taoren); Mirabilite (Mangxiao), Rhubarb Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), Peony Root (Mudan Pi), and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi); Achyranthes Bidentata Root (Niuxi), Veratrum Nigrum Rhizoma (Lilu), Imperata Rhizome (Maogen), and Rubia Cordifolia Root (Qiancao); Sophora Fruit (Huaijiao), Safflower Flower (Honghua), and Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zaojiao); Bupleurum Root (Sanleng), Curcuma Longa Rhizome (Ezhu), and Coix Seed (Yiyiren); Dried Lacquer (Ganqi), Kansui Root (Gansui), and Lychnophora Spike (Qumai); Pinellia Tuber (Banxia), Star Fritillary Bulb (Nanxing), and Thlaspi Stem (Tongcao); Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Garlic Bulb (Dasuan), and Lablab Bean (Madoudou); Corydalis Rhizome (Yanhusuo), Oldenlandia Herb (Changshan), and Moschus (She Xiang)—these are all contraindicated before childbirth for women and must always be kept in mind.

Although these prohibitions seem complete, there are instances where Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) is used to calm the fetus and stop vomiting; Rhubarb Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) is used for febrile diseases during pregnancy; and Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), and Prepared Aconite Lateral Root (Fuzi) are used for cold syndromes during pregnancy. What is the rationale? The Yellow Emperor once asked Qibo: "How should toxic medicines be handled when a woman is pregnant?" Qibo replied: "Where there is pathology, there is no injury; nor is there injury to the mother." This means that if there is a pathogenic accumulation, using attacking medicines will not harm the fetus ("no injury") nor the mother ("also no injury"). "Major accumulations and masses can be treated," but treatment should cease when the condition has improved by more than half. "Pathology" refers to the presence of disease; "no injury" means no damage to the fetal qi because the disease acts as a buffer against the toxicity of the medicine. However, this applies only to major accumulations with strong pathological forces, and dosage must be controlled to avoid excess. Thus, extreme caution is required. Should practitioners not follow the great principles of Huangdi and Qibo?