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Xue Lizhai said: Spontaneous abortion (fetal death and expulsion between 12-28 weeks of gestation) is more severe than term delivery. Term delivery is like a chestnut ripening and falling off naturally; spontaneous abortion is like picking it raw, breaking its shell and severing its root. However, many people die from neglecting it. The treatment method should tonify the body and Yuan Qi (primordial energy), generate new blood, and remove blood stasis. If it occurs before full term, with abdominal pain and desire to deliver, Xiong Gui Bu Zhong Tang (Coptis and Angelica Decoction for Tonifying the Middle) with doubled Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) should be used to stop premature labor. If bleeding continues after delivery, Ren Shen Huang Qi Tang (Ginseng and Astragalus Decoction) should be used to tonify. If there is heart and abdominal pain after delivery, Xiong Gui Tang (Angelica and Ligusticum Decoction) should be the primary treatment. For spontaneous abortion due to weak fetal Qi, Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) should be used to secure the fetal origin.

Shen Zhai commented: The above five points describe the syndromes of semi-abortion (spontaneous miscarriage before 28 weeks of gestation) during pregnancy. Semi-abortion in pregnancy does not occur unless caused by the Seven Emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, fright), Six Excesses (wind, cold, summerheat, dampness, dryness, fire), overexertion, or improper sexual activity. Therefore, medication is no different from normal delivery, generally adhering to Danxi's theory of primarily greatly tonifying Qi and Blood. However, the syndrome of dropping the fetus differs from semi-abortion. If the fetus is expelled before one, two, three, or four months without having formed, it is called "Duo Tai" (dropping the fetus). If expelled after five, six, seven, or eight months when the fetus has already formed, it is called "Ban Chan" (semi-abortion). Dropping the fetus generally belongs to deficiency of Qi and Blood in the pregnant woman, and deficiency of the Chong and Ren meridians (vessels regulating menstruation and conception), leading to instability of the fetal origin. Thus, Bao Tai Wan (Fetus-Securing Pill) from *Qian Jin Fang* is excellent. Zhao Yangkui used Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) plus Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla) as a holy medicine for securing the fetus. This is a secret classic of transmitted heart-mind methods.

*Fu Ren Liang Fang* (Good Advice for Women) states: Women may give birth at seven or eight months, at nine or ten months, or even after one or two years, up to four years. Each case should be treated according to its specific law.

Lou Quanshan said: For those desiring delivery early, cool the blood and secure the fetus. For those overdue who do not deliver, tonify blood and move stagnation.

Yu Tianmin said: Someone asked, why do some pregnant women have monthly menstruation while the fetus grows naturally? Why are there cases where, between three and five months, heavy bleeding occurs but the fetus does not fall? Or why do some deliver on time, while others are born after a month has passed? What is the principle? I replied: Monthly menstruation with daily fetal growth is called "Sheng Tai" (abundant fetus). This is because the woman's Qi and Blood are abundant; beyond nourishing the fetus, there is surplus blood. Heavy bleeding with a fetus of several months is called "Lou Tai" (leaking fetus). This happens because an event disturbs the fetus, agitating the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), causing blood to flow down without damaging the uterus. Although blood is lost during pregnancy and the fetus does not fall, Qi and Blood are depleted, often resulting in post-term delivery. I have seen cases of births after twelve to thirteen months, seventeen to eighteen months, or twenty-four to twenty-five months, which were not uncommon. These are all due to insufficient Qi and Blood, making it difficult for the embryo to grow. For those past ten months who have not delivered, medicines that greatly tonify Qi and Blood should be taken to cultivate the body, thus avoiding complications during delivery.

Shen Zhai commented: Delivery at ten months of pregnancy is the norm. Cases exceeding this limit exist, such as the long lives of Emperor Yao of Tang and Emperor Zhao of Han. To speak of two or four years is bizarre and unreasonable. Can such things still be called pregnancy? Yu Huaxi further speculates on this; baseless statements should not be listened to.