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When writing the talisman, it is advisable to use cinnabar (Zhu Sha) processed by water levigation for writing, and paste it on the north wall of the delivery room. When the time for parturition arrives, pin the talisman onto a needle and burn it in a lamp bowl over a flame, so as to prevent the ash from flying about. Mix with warm water and take orally.

Since the principles of confinement (postpartum care) have been clarified, one must understand the causes of difficult labor; therefore, this section follows.

(The causes of difficult labor are sixfold, varying according to the specific etiology, thus requiring different treatment formulas. I now elaborate on them to dispel worldly confusion.)

Generally speaking, women's health is rooted in blood. Only when Qi flows smoothly does Blood circulate freely, and only when fetal Qi is tranquil can physiological functions harmonize. Nowadays, wealthy families often overly protect the mother-to-be, fearing any movement, so she avoids going out and remains seated or lying down exclusively. They fail to realize that if Qi becomes stagnant and fails to flow freely, Blood will coagulate and lose its fluidity, preventing the fetus from moving. This leads to physiological dysfunction, making labor inevitably difficult, even resulting in fainting. This is the first cause. Furthermore, poor women who work day and night during pregnancy experience smooth Qi and Blood circulation, making childbirth easy without needing medicine! Thus, it is evident that pregnant women benefit from moderate exercise. The second cause is that when a woman is six or seven months pregnant and the fetus is fully formed, people ignore taboos and indulge in sexual intercourse without restraint. This causes seminal residue and stasis to accumulate in the uterus (Bao Gong), resulting in a fetus that is too large relative to the mother, leading to difficult labor. How do we know this? If a newborn has a white membrane on the head, sticky like glue, commonly called "Dai Bai Sheng" (Wearing White Birth); or if the infant's body has blue or black spots, commonly called "Su Zhi" (Old Moles), these are all caused by intercourse during pregnancy. Such practices not only harm the mother but also cause the child to develop spreading, red, and ulcerating skin lesions, commonly known as "Tai Qu" (Fetal Maggots), which may persist for months. Can one not be vigilant? The third cause is perceiving labor too early, frequent urination and defecation, or believing in divination and blaming ghosts, causing various fears that frighten the mother's heart and spirit, leading to worry, annoyance, and terror. Additionally, contact with idle women or those associated with mourning and filth can disturb the process. If these are not prevented in advance, labor will be difficult. This is the third cause. How do we know? For instance, illegitimate births often proceed without difficulty, ensuring safety for both mother and child, illustrating the principle. At the initial stage of labor, abdominal pain comes and goes, known as "Nong Tong" (Teasing Pain). If the midwife is negligent and does not wait for the proper time, instructing premature trials of water breaking; frequent trials break the amniotic sac prematurely, allowing wind to enter the birth canal, causing dryness and friction. When the fetus turns, if instructed to sit on the grass mat too early, fetal rotation becomes difficult, leading to difficult labor. This is the fourth cause. One should wait until the pain is extreme, with eyes feeling fiery, indicating the fetus is pressing against the cervix, before sitting on the mat for delivery, which facilitates easy birth. If sitting on the mat for too long, exerting excessive force, the mother falls into exhaustion and sleep, and if the person supporting her waist is unstable, causing tilting, the fetus may die in the womb, resulting in difficult labor. This is the fifth cause. During midsummer, one should reside in deep, cool rooms, away from direct sunlight, with windows open and plenty of clean water stored, to prevent conditions such as blood dizziness, blood stagnation, erratic bleeding, and fever due to blood deficiency. In late winter and early spring, when the weather is cold, the delivery room should be tightly sealed, gaps blocked, and fires lit inside and outside to maintain a spring-like warmth. Cotton clothing should be kept on the lower body to avoid fetal coldness and blood coagulation, preventing difficult labor. This is the sixth cause. Pregnant women approaching term must absolutely avoid washing their hair to prevent difficult labor, transverse presentation, or malpresentation. (Chen Ziming) respectfully discusses this.