子满者,妇人孕至五、六个月,腹大异常,胸腹胀满,手、足、面目浮肿,气逆不安,小便不通,
此由胞中蓄水,名曰胎水。若不上治,生子手足软短有疾,或胎死腹中。用千金鲤鱼汤治其水。
若脾虚不运,清浊不分,佐以四君子;若面目虚浮,肢体如水气,全生白术散;若脾湿虚热,下部作肿,
补中汤加茯苓;若饮食失节,呕吐、泄泻,六君子汤;若腿足发肿,喘闷不宁,或指缝出
水,天仙藤散;若脾肺气滞,加味归脾汤,佐以加味逍遥散。然遍身浮肿,胀满之甚者,名为子满。若只脚
面浮肿,行走艰难,或脚趾内有黄水出者,谓之子气。直至分娩方消也。故妊娠脚肿,至
八、九月及胫腿俱肿,非水气比,不可以水病治之,反伤真气。凡有此者,必易产,因胞脏中水血俱
多,不致燥胎故也。若初孕即肿者,是水气过多,儿未成体,则胎必堕。
子肿与子气相类,但子气在下体,子肿在头面。若子满产五、
六月以后,比子气与子肿不同。盖胎大则腹满,满则甚气,遍身浮肿也。
《金匮》曰∶妇人怀娠六、七月,脉弦发热,其胎愈胀,腹痛恶寒,少腹如扇者,子脏开故也,当以附
子汤温其脏。徐忠可曰∶六、七月胃肺养胎,而气为寒所滞,故胎愈胀;寒在内,腹痛恶寒。然恶寒有
属表者,此连腹痛,乃知寒伤内矣。少腹如扇,阵阵作冷,若扇之状,恶寒之异也,且独在少腹,因子脏受
寒不能合,故少腹独开不饮也。子脏即子宫。附子能入肾温下焦,故宜附子汤温其经。妊妇偶有所伤,
胎动不安,痛不可忍,用带壳缩砂,不拘多少,和皮炒黑色,为末,热酒下二钱。不饮酒者,米饮下,腹中觉热,胎自
安矣。
妊娠心腹痛,或宿有冷疼,或新触风寒,皆因脏虚而发也。邪正相击而并于气,随气上下,上冲于心,则
心痛;下攻于腹,则腹痛。邪正二气交攻于内,久若不瘥,痛冲胞胎,必动胎。洁古
地黄当归汤治妇人有孕胎痛。丹溪以血虚治之,故四物汤去川芎,倍加熟地,此心法也。
妊娠不时腹痛,或小腹重坠,名胎痛。地黄三钱、当归一钱,二味煎汤主之,不应加参、术、陈皮。因
中气虚而下坠作痛者,补中益气汤。
Ziman (Excessive Abdominal Distension in Pregnancy) refers to the condition where a woman, at five or six months of pregnancy, experiences abnormal abdominal enlargement, distension and fullness in the chest and abdomen, edema of the hands, feet, face, and eyes, rebellious Qi causing mental restlessness, and difficulty in urination. This is caused by water accumulation in the Baozhong (uterus), named Taishui (Fetal Water). If not treated promptly, the newborn may suffer from weak and short limbs with deformities, or the fetus may die in utero. Qianjin Liyu Tang (Thousand Golden Carp Decoction) is used to treat this water retention. If spleen deficiency leads to impaired transportation and transformation, resulting in the failure to distinguish clear from turbid, it can be assisted with Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction); if there is puffy swelling of the face and eyes, and limbs resembling water qi, Quansheng Baizhu San (Quansheng Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) is used; if there is spleen dampness with deficient heat causing swelling in the lower body, Buzhong Tang (Middle-Boosting Decoction) with added Fuling (Poria) is prescribed; if irregular diet causes vomiting and diarrhea, Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) is used; if leg and foot swelling occur with panting, chest stuffiness, and restlessness, or fluid oozing from between fingers, Tianxianteng San (Akebia Vine Powder) is applied; if there is stagnation of Qi in the spleen and lungs, Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction) is used, assisted by Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free Wanderer Powder). However, only when generalized edema and severe distension are present is it termed Ziman. If only the dorsum of the foot is swollen, making walking difficult, or yellow fluid exudes from between toes, it is called Zi Qi (Fetal Qi), which resolves only after delivery. Therefore, for ankle swelling in pregnancy, especially when extending to the calves and legs at eight or nine months, it is not comparable to water disease and should not be treated as such, lest it damage the True Qi. Such cases usually result in easier childbirth because the uterus contains abundant water and blood, preventing the fetus from drying out. However, if swelling occurs immediately upon conception, it indicates excessive water qi while the fetus is not yet formed, leading to inevitable miscarriage.
Zizhong (Fetal Edema) is similar to Zi Qi, but Zi Qi occurs in the lower body, whereas Zizhong affects the head and face. If Ziman appears after five or six months of pregnancy, it differs from Zi Qi and Zizhong. As the fetus grows, abdominal distension increases, leading to severe Qi stagnation and generalized edema.
The *Jinkui Yaolue* states: "In women pregnant for six or seven months, if the pulse is wiry and accompanied by fever, the fetal distension worsens, abdominal pain and aversion to cold occur, and the lower abdomen feels like being fanned, this is due to the opening of the Zizang (uterus). It should be treated with Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) to warm the uterus." Xu Zhongke stated: "At six or seven months, the Stomach and Lung nourish the fetus. If Qi is stagnant due to cold, the fetal distension worsens; internal cold causes abdominal pain and aversion to cold. Although aversion to cold can be exterior-related, here it is accompanied by abdominal pain, indicating internal cold injury. The sensation of the lower abdomen being fanned implies paroxysmal coldness, distinct from general aversion to cold, occurring specifically in the lower abdomen because the Zizang, affected by cold, fails to close, leaving the lower abdomen open and unconsolidated. Zizang refers to the uterus. Fuzi enters the Kidney meridian to warm the Lower Jiao, hence Fuzi Tang is suitable to warm the meridians. If a pregnant woman suffers accidental trauma causing restless fetus and unbearable pain, use Suisha Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) with shell, any amount, stir-fried with peel until black, powdered, and taken with hot wine (2 qian). Non-drinkers may take it with rice gruel. When warmth is felt in the abdomen, the fetus will settle naturally."
Abdominal and cardiac pain during pregnancy, whether pre-existing cold pain or newly contracted wind-cold, arises from visceral deficiency. Pathogenic and healthy Qi clash and converge in the Qi mechanism, moving up and down. Rising to the Heart causes cardiac pain; descending to the abdomen causes abdominal pain. Prolonged internal conflict without resolution may cause pain to impact the Chongbao (fetus), inevitably disturbing the fetus. Jiegu's Dihuang Danggui Tang (Rehmannia and Angelica Decoction) treats fetal pain in pregnancy. Danxi attributed this to Blood deficiency, thus prescribing Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) minus Chuanxiong, with doubled Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), which is the core method.
Intermittent abdominal pain or heavy bearing sensation in the lower abdomen during pregnancy is termed Taitong (Fetal Pain). It is primarily treated with a decoction of 3 qian Dihuang (Rehmannia Root) and 1 qian Danggui (Angelica Sinensis). If ineffective, add Renshen (Ginseng), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel). For pain caused by sinking due to Middle Qi deficiency, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Middle-Boosting and Qi-Invigorating Decoction) is used.