徐春甫曰∶世医安胎，多用艾、附、砂仁热补，为害尤甚。不知血气清和，无火煎烁，则胎安而固。气虚则
提不住，血热则溢妄行，胎欲不堕，得乎？香附虽云快气开郁，多用则损正气。砂仁快脾气，多用亦耗真气。
况香燥之品，气血两伤，求以安胎，适以损胎矣。
慎斋按∶香附、木香、砂仁，世医谓安胎必用。不知此三味性温而辛，久服反致耗气助火。虽曰胎前须顺
气，但药性有偏胜，宜兼清热，如黄芩、知母之属为当。若胎气虚寒者，又不在此例也。
喻嘉言曰∶地之体本重，然得天气以包举之，则生机不息。若重阴冱寒之区，天日之光不显，则物生实罕。
人之体，肌肉丰盛，乃血之荣旺。但血旺易至气衰，久而弥觉其偏也。夫气与血，两相维而不可偏。气为主
则血流，血为主则气反不流，非气之衰也，气不流，有似乎衰耳。故一切补气药皆不可用，而耗气之药反有可
施。缘气得补则愈锢，不
若耗之，以助其流动，久之血仍归其统握中矣。湖阳公主体肥难产，南山道士进瘦胎方，而产得顺利。盖肥满之
躯，胎处其中，全无空隙。以故伤胎之药，止能耗其外之气，而不能耗其内之真气，此用药之妙也。
慎斋按∶胎前宜顺气，气顺则不滞。枳壳散、束胎饮，本为气实肥盛，安佚郁闷者立法耳。若气体虚弱，
元气不足，或虚气胀满，或虚寒腹痛，必须参、术大补。岂谓胎前必用耗气药乎，宜合春甫一条兼看为得。
Xu Chunfu said: Contemporary physicians, when stabilizing the fetus (An Tai), often use warming and tonifying herbs such as Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), and Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus). This causes particularly severe harm. They fail to realize that only when Qi and Blood are clear and harmonious, without being scorched by Fire, can the fetus be stable and secure. If Qi is deficient, it cannot hold the fetus; if Blood is hot, it flows recklessly and overflows. How can one expect the fetus not to miscarry? Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma) is said to promote Qi flow and relieve depression, but excessive use damages healthy Qi. Sha Ren promotes Spleen Qi, but excessive use also consumes true Qi. Moreover, aromatic-dry substances injure both Qi and Blood. Seeking to stabilize the fetus with them actually damages the fetus.
Shen Zhai commented: Xiang Fu, Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Sha Ren are considered by contemporary physicians as essential for stabilizing the fetus. However, they do not know that these three herbs are warm in nature and pungent in flavor. Long-term consumption instead consumes Qi and assists Fire. Although it is said that Qi should be regulated during pregnancy, drug properties have biases. It is appropriate to combine them with heat-clearing herbs, such as Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). Cases of cold-deficiency of fetal Qi are exceptions to this rule.
Yu Jiayan said: The earth's substance is inherently heavy, but when enveloped and lifted by Heaven's Qi, its vital energy does not cease. In regions of extreme Yin and freezing cold, where sunlight is obscure, the generation of things is indeed rare. In humans, abundant muscles indicate flourishing Blood. However, flourishing Blood easily leads to Qi deficiency, a bias that becomes more apparent over time. Qi and Blood sustain each other and must not be imbalanced. When Qi is dominant, Blood flows smoothly; when Blood is dominant, Qi fails to flow. This is not due to Qi deficiency, but rather Qi stagnation, which resembles deficiency. Therefore, all Qi-tonifying drugs should be avoided, while Qi-consuming drugs may be applicable. Because Qi, when tonified, becomes further entrenched, it is better to consume it slightly to aid its movement. Over time, Blood will return to the control of Qi. Princess Huyang had difficulty giving birth due to obesity. A Daoist from Nanshan presented a "Thin Fetus Formula," resulting in a smooth delivery. This is because in an obese body, the fetus occupies the space with no gaps. Thus, drugs that affect the fetus can only consume the external Qi, not the internal true Qi. This is the subtlety of medication.
Shen Zhai commented: During pregnancy, it is suitable to regulate Qi; when Qi flows smoothly, there is no stagnation. Zhi Ke San (Bitter Orange Powder) and Shu Tai Yin (Fetus-Binding Decoction) were originally formulated for individuals with excess Qi, obesity, lethargy, and depression. If one has weak Qi and insufficient Yuan Qi (Original Qi), or experiences distension due to deficient Qi, or abdominal pain due to deficiency-cold, large tonification with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is necessary. How can it be said that Qi-consuming drugs must always be used during pregnancy? One should consider Xu Chunfu's statement alongside this for a proper understanding.