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The *Jilüe* states: The Kidney of the mother is connected to the fetus; this is the Mother's True Qi (Zhen Qi), which the offspring relies upon. After conception, one should maintain tranquility, so that Blood and Qi remain harmonious. Internally, one must avoid excessive influence of the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Sorrow, Fear, Fright); externally, one must moderate the Five Flavors (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty). Foods that are extremely cold or hot are strictly prohibited. One must prevent mist, dew, wind, and pathogenic factors from entering through gaps in the defenses. Sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent stirring up desire. Diet must be regulated carefully; for instance, eating rabbit meat may cause cleft lip in the child, eating dog meat may result in a silent child, and eating miscellaneous fish may cause skin sores and tinea. A sudden fright affecting Heart Qi may lead to epilepsy; insufficient Kidney Qi may lead to delayed closure of fontanelles (Jie Lu); disharmony of Spleen Qi may lead to emaciation; deficiency of Heart Qi may lead to mental insufficiency. The fetus relies on the Mother's Qi, so caution is essential. If there are no signs of fetal movement, fetal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, or external wind-cold pathogens, medication should not be taken lightly. If medication is unavoidable, the severity of the disease and the potency of the herbs must be assessed; it is unnecessary to use many different ingredients. However, if the father is young and the mother old, the daughter will likely be frail; if the mother is strong and the father weak, the son will likely be feeble. This is due to an uneven distribution of Qi and Blood, requiring supplementation. To supplement a frail girl, nourish Blood and strengthen the Spleen; to supplement a weak boy, strengthen the Spleen and regulate sexual activity. Frail girls should marry in due time; weak boys should wait until they are robust before marrying. Ancients discussed having children in old age, stating that men should not exceed 64 years (8 x 8) and women should not exceed 49 years (7 x 7). Thus, it is known that Human Blood and Qi have their limits, and how can one escape the supreme numbers of Yin and Yang?

Zhu Danxi said: During pregnancy, one should clear heat and nourish Blood. If a parturient experiences fetal disturbance due to fire forcing upward, causing wheezing and急促 breathing, immediately use Tiao Qin (Striped Scutellaria Root) and Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome) among others, ground into powder and taken with liquid. Tiao Qin that sinks in water is preferred. Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, Baikal Skullcap Root) calms the fetus and acts on the Upper and Middle Jiaos, descending fire. Heaven's movement is unceasing, thus life generates endlessly. Chong Wei Zi (Leonuri Fructus, Fruit of Dark-leaved Motherwort) treats blood stasis and Qi stagnation, possessing the wonder of nourishing Yin. It is named Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort Herb) because it has tonifying properties within its moving action. Therefore, it is said: "Before birth, there should be no stagnation; after birth, there should be no deficiency." Dystocia can be treated by decocting into a paste. Tiao Qin and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Large-headed Atractylodes Rhizome) are the holy medicines for calming the fetus. Laypeople consider Huang Qin to be too cold and do not use it, instead believing that warm and hot herbs can nourish the fetus. They fail to realize that pregnancy requires clearing heat and cooling blood, allowing Blood to follow its vessels without reckless flowing, which is how the fetus is nourished. Cravings during pregnancy indicate the deficiency of one Zang organ. For example, craving sour taste indicates Liver deficiency, where the Liver cannot nourish the fetus.