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The *Ji Sheng Chan Jing* (Classic of Midwifery and Childbirth) states: For diseases during pregnancy, the pulse should be robust; for diseases after childbirth, the pulse should be deficient. During pregnancy, one should regulate Qi to calm the fetus; after childbirth, one should support deficiency and resolve stasis. This is the essence.

The *Mai Yao* (Essentials of Pulse Diagnosis) states: The pulse before delivery must show a "Li Jing" pulse (a pulse distinct from the usual pattern, often floating, large, or slippery), or it may appear deep, fine, and slippery. If pain is felt at midnight, delivery will surely occur by noon the next day. For the pulse immediately after childbirth, a slow and slippery quality is auspicious. If the pulse is full, large, wiry, or rapid, it approaches a pulse devoid of Stomach Qi, which is an ominous and dangerous sign. If the Cun Kou (inch position) pulse is choppy, rapid, and irregular, it indicates adverse complications. Only if the pulse is deep, fine, and unbroken when pressed to the bone is there no harm, even if the condition is severe.

Pan Shuofu stated: At the time of labor, Qi and Blood are in turmoil, the fetal sac ruptures, deviating from normal meridian patterns. There must be a prior discharge of amniotic fluid, commonly called "Bao Jiang" (placental membrane fluid), which nourishes the fetus. Once this fluid is discharged, the sac ruptures, leading to delivery. After delivery, both Qi and Blood are deficient; the pulse should be slow and slippery. A slow pulse indicates relaxation and ease, not hurried due to Qi depletion. A slippery pulse indicates smoothness, not withered or rough due to blood loss. Both are auspicious signs. If the pulse is full, large, wiry, or firm, it is unsuitable for the postpartum state of Qi and Blood deficiency. A full pulse signifies excess pathogenic factors; a large pulse indicates advancing pathogens; a wiry pulse signifies Yin constriction and impaired Yang dissemination; a firm pulse signifies rigidity. All these are contrary pulses.

Shen Zhai commented: The above three passages describe the auspicious and inauspicious distinctions in postpartum pulses. The *Fu Ren Liang Fang* (Good Prescriptions for Women) covers difficult labor and催产 (labor-inducing) medications up to this point. Xue Lizhai said: Having clarified difficult labor, one must understand postpartum diseases. Therefore, following the method of the *Liang Fang*, various postpartum syndromes are described below.

The *Da Quan* states: Upon completion of delivery, drink one cup of hot Tong Bian (child's urine). One must not lie down immediately but should sit with eyes closed. After a short while, get into bed; one should sit upright on the back, not on the side. Knees should be bent upward, legs not extended. Lean high against the headboard, place thick mattresses, and surround the four walls to eliminate gaps, preventing Zei Feng (thief wind/exogenous cold-wind pathogens) from entering. Apply vinegar to the nose, use vinegar charcoal, or burn lacquerware. Frequently push the hand from the heart region down to below the umbilicus to prevent Xue Yun (blood syncope) and Xue Ni (rebellious blood flow). Do this for three days. Regardless of abdominal pain, take Tong Bian mixed with wine, warmed, five to seven times. Although wine promotes blood circulation, it should not be consumed in excess, lest it draw blood into the four limbs and cause syncope. Frequently consume white rice porridge, gradually adding small amounts of mutton and pig trotters. Still, be cautious regarding speech, emotions, cold/heat changes, combing hair, and washing feet, lasting for one hundred days. If one is constitutionally weak in Qi and Blood, regardless of the number of months, care must be taken; otherwise, symptoms such as soreness and pain in the hands, feet, waist, and legs may occur, named Ru Lao (postpartum consumptive disease), which is extremely difficult to treat. At the time of initial delivery, do not ask whether the baby is male or female, lest speech deplete Qi, or love/hatred stir anger, both of which can cause disease. Do not sleep alone, lest it induce empty fright. Do not scrape the tongue coating, lest it damage Heart Qi. Do not brush teeth, lest it cause rebellious blood flow. Only when Qi and Blood have stabilized may one attend to affairs. Violating these taboos initially seems as slight as an autumn hair, but resulting illness becomes heavy as a mountain. Can one not be vigilant?

Shen Zhai commented: The above passage describes methods for regulating the postpartum period. The ancients' warnings were detailed and thorough. If later generations adhere to these care measures, how could postpartum diseases arise? This lies in human prudence, not solely in the physician's domain.