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[Song Verse] An Tai Yin (Fetus-Calming Decoction) consists of Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), and Huo Xiang (Patchouli Herb). It is best decocted with Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Fu Ling (Poria), and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger). This formula can be referenced for various conditions during pregnancy. For E Zu (Morning Sickness/Nausea of Pregnancy) accompanied by retained phlegm, Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) is suitable, combined with Fu Ling (Poria), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Huo Xiang (Patchouli Herb), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), along with Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel), and Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome). The efficacy of Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) is most remarkable. For Xiong Man Xin Tong (Chest Fullness and Heart Pain) known as Zi Xuan (Subsiding Fetus), Cong Tou (Green Onion Head) and Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange) can be decocted together; Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), and Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) may be used, but Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) should be avoided. For thirst and deficiency heat/restlessness, add Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Fu Ling (Poria), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf), and Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root); Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) have great merit in nourishing blood and generating fluids. Swelling is mostly due to damp-heat; strengthening the spleen and promoting urination ensures harmony. Use Mu Tong (Akebia Stem), Fu Ling (Poria), Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome), Jiang Pi (Ginger Peel), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Chao Sha (Cyperi Rhizoma). Lower back pain is often due to kidney qi deficiency; one must fear miscarriage or retained placenta. Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), and Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome), along with Xu Duan (Dipsacus Root) and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), are recorded in medical texts. Coughs originally belong to the lung system; distinguish between deficiency and excess. For deficiency, use Tian Dong (Asparagus Tuber), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), and E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin); for excess, use Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Xing Ren (Apricot Seed), and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit). Alternating chills and fever belong to the liver; do not mistake blood deficiency and wind pathogen. Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) and Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) treat blood weakness; Chai Hu Jia Jian Tang (Bupleurum Modified Decoction) treats wind-cold. Food injury causing watery diarrhea damages the spleen; sticky dysentery indicates heat treatment. For heat, Xiang Lian Wan (Costus and Coptis Pill) can be used, or Si Ling San (Four Poria Powder) with Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome), Fu Ling (Poria), and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel). Insomnia and palpitations belong to the heart; panic, deficiency heat, and spontaneous sweating require Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), and Ren Shen (Ginseng Root). If the fetal origin is disturbed causing restlessness, taking Su Sha Miao (Cardamom Seed Powder) is a divine pill; it can be combined with Fo Shou (Finger Citron) and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), or Jiao Ai Tang (Collagen and Mugwort Decoction) added to treat dry blood. Generally, Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is suitable for pregnancy; using Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome) too early may cause excessive ascending; Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) is cloying and obstructs the chest, requiring modification; follow qi regulation and middle jiao harmonization without stubbornness.

The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) states: How to know if a pregnant woman is about to give birth? Answer: The body shows signs of illness but the pulse lacks evil characteristics. It also states: If the foot Sha Yin (Kidney Meridian) pulse beats vigorously, it indicates pregnancy. It further states: Yin pulse beats strongly and differs from Yang, this is called having a child. Qin Yue Ren says: If the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) show floating and sinking equally, and pressing does not cease, there is pregnancy. Cui Zi Xu says: Yin pulses beat at the lower position, Yang pulses differ at the upper position; with harmonious qi and blood, this is an image of having a child. The hand Sha Yin (Heart Meridian) pulse beats vigorously, and the Chi position remains unceasing when pressed; this indicates pregnancy. Sha Yin belongs to the Heart, which governs blood vessels; the Kidney is the womb gate; the pulse corresponds to the Chi position. Or the Cun pulse is faint, Guan is slippery, Chi is rapid, flowing smoothly like a sparrow pecking rice. Or examining the three positions, there is a pause between floating and sinking, or the pulse is level and deficient; one should ask about menstruation. A woman has illness signs but no evil pulse; this is pregnancy, not disease, hence menstruation stops. Qi Zhong Fu says: Yin beating and Yang differing is called having a child; qi and blood are harmonious, representing Yang imparting and Yin transforming. Wang Shu He says: A pulse that is level and deficient is the method for pregnancy. Diagnosing the pulse, if the left hand Sha Yin beats vigorously, it is pregnancy. Sha Yin refers to the Heart, which governs blood; Foot Sha Yin refers to the Kidney, which governs the womb. Generally, the left hand Sha Yin belongs to the Heart, the right foot Sha Yin belongs to the Kidney, governing the lower Chi position; if the Chi position is unceasing when pressed, there is pregnancy. There are also cases of original qi deficiency where the pulse is faint, fine, soggy, weak, or hidden. *Mai Jue Ju Yao* (Essentials of Pulse Diagnosis) states: Male and female differences are determined by left and right. Left rapid indicates male, right rapid indicates female; deep and solid on the left, floating and large on the right; left male, right female, allows for prediction. Generally, left pulse rapid exceeding right indicates male, because male belongs to Yang residing on the left, and fetal qi gathers in Yang, so left prevails. Right pulse rapid exceeding left indicates female, because female belongs to Yin residing on the right, and fetal qi gathers in Yin, so right prevails. Generally, deep and solid indicates male, deep and fine indicates female; right Chi floating and large confirms female, left Chi floating and large suggests mostly male; deep and fine is female, deep and solid is male, i.e., all Yang indicates male, all Yin indicates female. Right Chi floating and large is female, left Chi floating and large is male, i.e., left rapid is male, right rapid is female. It also states: One jump and one pause in the middle finger indicates one month of fetus; two jumps and two pauses indicate two months.

How to recognize pregnancy pulses? Distinguish the decline and prosperity of Yin and Yang. When both Yin and Yang prosper, the pulse is slippery and harmonious; both hands are harmonious and the rapid pulse corresponds. The person can eat, body has no fever, complexion is normal—this confirms pregnancy. Pulse strong on the left indicates male form; right hand predominantly洪 (Hong/Full) indicates female pregnancy. True pregnancy with vomiting, dizziness, and stuffiness indicates retained phlegm and E Zu (Nausea); urgently regulate the stomach and eliminate phlegm, secure blood and calm the fetus to save both lives. If waist and abdomen are distended, evening throat dryness, and flourishing tidal fever occur, along with hypersomnia, aversion to food, fatigue, and phlegm, this belongs to menstrual stagnation but is not disease. Stomach pulse rapid indicates three months of fetus; Small Intestine pulse only rapid indicates five months maternal change; movement urgency under fingers in Large Intestine position indicates eight months pregnancy. The general outline of pregnant women's pulses is thus; deduce details freely observing movement and stillness. When a woman's menstruation stops and she has a body, but her pulse is wiry (Xian), fear that later there will be heavy bleeding, failing to form a fetus. Pulse comes near and goes far; thus it is said that contrary to having a body, it instead cuts off; this is because there is Yang without Yin.