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*Chan Yu Ji* (Collection of Childbearing and Pregnancy) states: After the fetus is formed at three months of pregnancy, both feet gradually swell starting from the dorsum of the foot, making walking difficult, and may even lead to panting, chest oppression, and poor appetite, resembling edema due to water qi. If yellow fluid oozes from between the toes, it is called *Ziqi* (Fetal Qi), which persists until delivery when it subsides. This is caused by wind pathogens present in the woman's body prior to pregnancy, or blood-wind in the Chong and Ren meridians. One should not recklessly administer decoctions. However, one must also fear unforeseen dangers during childbirth; therefore, treatment is necessary before delivery.

Chen Wuyue stated: Whenever women have pre-existing cold, wind, dampness, or cold pathogens, they often experience leg swelling during pregnancy, commonly referred to as "Zhoubiao" (Wrinkled Foot).

Chen Liangfu stated: Bilateral leg edema during pregnancy is named "Cuibiao" (Brittle Foot). It is caused by spleen deficiency failing to control water, where blood transforms into water. It should be primarily treated with Quansheng Baizhu San (Complete Life Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction).

Zhu Danxi stated: Swelling of both lower legs up to the knees during pregnancy, and even fluid oozing from between the toes, is caused by middle qi gathering to nourish the fetal origin, leading to stagnation and depression that prevents ascending and dispersing. The method should be to relieve stagnation, primarily treating with Tianxian Teng San (Aristolochia Vine Decoction).

He Song'an stated: During the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy, bilateral leg swelling occurs because the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian nourishes the fetus. The Spleen governs the four limbs. At this time, the fetus has descended, so swelling appears in the feet, resolving after delivery.

Qi Zhongfu stated: Pregnancy-related leg swelling is not comparable to general water qi disease. By the eighth or ninth month, if the calves and thighs are swollen, it should not be treated as a water disease, lest it damage the true qi. Those with this condition will likely deliver easily 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 and an incompletely formed fetus, meaning the fetus will surely perish.

*Mingyi Lu* (Records of Famous Physicians) records: The Young Master of Song and Xu Wenbo went incognito to learn acupuncture. Xu Wenbo saw a pregnant woman whose feet were swollen and unable to walk. The Young Master palpated her pulse and said, "This is a female fetus." Xu Wenbo diagnosed, "This is a male fetus; if located on the left, the fetal color is black." The Young Master was angry and wanted to perform surgery to remove it. Xu Wenbo, feeling compassion, said, "Your subject requests to use needles." The fetus subsequently aborted, confirmed as male and black in color. This illustrates the theory regarding pregnancy-induced foot swelling.

*Ji Yin Gangmu* (Outline of Gynecology) commentary: *Zizhong* (Fetal Edema) is similar to *Ziqi*, but *Ziqi* affects the lower body, while *Zizhong* affects the head and face. As for *Ziman* (Fetal Fullness), it mostly occurs after the fifth or sixth month, differing from *Ziqi* and *Zizhong*. Generally, as the fetus grows large, abdominal fullness causes qi to float throughout the body, resulting in generalized edema.

Shen Zhai commentary: The above nine passages describe the syndrome of *Ziqi* and leg swelling before delivery. When pregnancy presents with generalized edema of the whole body, chest/abdomen/head/face, and four limbs, it is called *Ziman*. When only the lower legs swell, extending to the thighs and knees, it is called *Ziqi*. *Ziqi* is essentially *Zizhong*. All these conditions originate from Spleen deficiency and failure of middle qi to circulate, causing damp-heat from food and fluids to soak the muscles and overflow into the four limbs. These three discussions (referring to those following *Daquan*) address the root cause. In contrast, *Chanru Fang* (Childbirth and Lactation Formulas) and *Sanyin Fang* (Formulas of Three Causes) discuss external pathogens concurrently.