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Anyone undergoing childbirth, if they first know these ten types of difficult labor syndromes, will never suffer life-threatening injuries. During childbirth, life is the most important matter. Fortunately, some babies are born easily, and people do not realize this as a blessing; but if there is even slight difficulty, in an instant, the lives of both mother and child hang by a thread. However, what ordinary people worry about is merely observing the delivery process. Among midwives, few possess excellent skills, leading to many cases of loss of life. I am pained by this situation and believe that recording these methods is not without benefit. (Additionally, there is "Coiled Intestine Delivery," for which I have added methods later.)

First, termed Normal Delivery:
Normal delivery refers to a woman carrying a fetus for ten full months, with sufficient Yin and Yang Qi. Suddenly, she experiences paroxysmal pain in the lower back and abdomen. Subsequently, the fetal Qi descends abruptly, leading to severe pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, heavy pain in the lower back, a sensation of protrusion from the anus, followed by the rupture of membranes and bleeding, after which the baby is born. This is called Normal Delivery.

Second, termed Injurious Delivery:
Injurious Delivery refers to a woman giving birth suddenly at seven or eight months, or at nine or ten months, or even one, two, four, or five years after conception. Currently, only delivery at ten full months is considered normal. The life of a person is determined by Yin and Yang at specific times, which cannot be altered. If a woman experiences sudden abdominal pain resembling labor before one month of full term, yet nothing happens, this is called "Trial Month" (false labor), not Normal Delivery. For all parturients, before the signs of Normal Delivery appear, no one should hold their waist, and the mother must not exert force recklessly. Although a woman in labor may feel abdominal pain, the fetus may not yet be in position. If the midwife instructs the mother to exert force blindly, causing the fetus to shift, and the mother then pushes hard, the fetus may turn sideways or upside down, failing to deliver normally. This is caused by the mother exerting force at the wrong time. A mother should only exert force when the fetus is aligned and approaching the cervix, pushing once to facilitate birth. Exerting force prematurely without proper signs, or taking medications indiscriminately to induce early birth, is like pulling shoots to help them grow—it is harmful, not beneficial. This is called Injurious Delivery.

Third, termed Induced Delivery:
Induced Delivery refers to a woman who is ready to give birth, with ruptured membranes and bleeding, experiencing severe paroxysmal abdominal pain, heavy lower back, and anal protrusion—clear signs of Normal Delivery—but the baby has not yet emerged. Medication can be administered to accelerate delivery. If several days pass and the mother suffers, clearly showing signs of Normal Delivery but the baby remains stuck, medication can also be given to boost the mother's Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) to facilitate rapid birth. This is called Induced Delivery.

Fourth, termed Frozen Delivery:
Frozen Delivery refers to deliveries occurring in the three winter months when the weather is cold. The mother's menstrual blood coagulates due to cold and does not disperse. Because the blood does not flow freely, the baby cannot be born. This is deeply harmful, though often unrecognized by the public. In winter, the mother's lower body should not be exposed from cotton clothing, nor should she sit or lie in cold places. The room should be heated, maintaining warmth throughout. The mother should face her back toward the fire to keep warmth around the lower abdomen, legs, and knees. If the back or chest feels cold, warm cotton clothing should be used for wrapping. Blood flows freely when warmed, facilitating easier birth. This is called Frozen Delivery. In spring and autumn, if there is slight damp cold air, using mild charcoal fire to warm the room is advisable.

Fifth, termed Hot Delivery:
Hot Delivery refers to deliveries during the peak of summer heat. The woman in labor should maintain a comfortable temperature and must not seek excessive cooling due to heat, as this damages the fetal Qi. The delivery area should not be crowded, as too many people generate heat that oppressively affects the mother. Human Qi and Blood scatter when heated and are damaged if overheated. In intense summer heat, if the mother is Qi-deficient, the presence of others can cause her blood to boil and overflow. Heat causes blood to steam upward, leading to fever, headache, flushed face, dizziness resembling drunkenness, and even unconsciousness. This condition, known as Blood Syncope (Xue Yun), arises from this cause. This is called Hot Delivery. Even in summer, if there is cool air or rain changes, the mother should not seek excessive cooling, lest serious illness occur.

Sixth, termed Transverse Delivery:
Transverse Delivery occurs when the baby presents a hand or buttocks first. This is due to the mother exerting force prematurely. Abdominal pain exists, but the fetus is not aligned. The mother's premature pushing causes the body to become transverse. If this occurs, the mother should lie supine, and the midwife should gently push the fetus back inside. To reposition, the midwife first pushes the fetal body upward until straight, then uses the middle finger to massage the shoulder, pushing up to correct it, and gently guides the finger to the ear to align it. The mother must remain supine while the fetus is pushed up and corrected slowly. Once the body is aligned and the passage is clear, administer a cup of induced delivery decoction. After the mother drinks it, she may push to deliver the baby. This is called Transverse Delivery. If the midwife is not skilled, this method should not be used, as ignorance may lead to fatal errors.

Seventh, termed Breech Delivery:
Breech Delivery occurs because the mother's uterine Qi is insufficient, the cervical os is not secure, and she exerts force too early, preventing the fetus from turning. The feet present first. Treatment requires the mother to lie supine on the bed. The midwife should gently push the feet back in slightly. The mother must not exert force or panic; wait for the fetus to naturally align. If birth is delayed, the midwife may gently insert a hand to push the foot upward to one side, allowing the head to descend gradually on the other side. Wait until the fetus turns and the passage is aligned. Then, administer a cup of induced delivery decoction. After drinking, the mother may push to deliver the baby. This is called Breech Delivery. Unskilled midwives should not attempt this, as ignorance may be fatal.

Eighth, termed Oblique Delivery:
Oblique Delivery occurs when the fetus turns but is not aligned, and the birth canal is not straight. Premature maternal pushing causes the fetal head to press against the left or right thigh. Although the head appears near the introitus, birth fails. The visible part may seem like the vertex, but it is actually the left or right frontal angle. The head is tilted to one side, preventing delivery. The mother should lie supine. The midwife should gently push the fetus upward and manually correct the head so the vertex faces the introitus directly. Then, the mother pushes to deliver the baby. If the occiput presses against the anus, only the forehead is visible. The midwife should wrap a hand in warm cotton cloth and gently push the head from the side of the anus to correct it, after which the mother pushes. This is called Oblique Delivery. When correcting the head near the anus, push upward slightly to align it. Unskilled midwives should not attempt this, as ignorance may be fatal.

Ninth, termed Hindered Delivery:
Hindered Delivery occurs when the fetus is aligned and the passage is straight, and the vertex is visible, but birth is hindered. This is because the fetal membrane (or umbilical cord structure) catches on the shoulder during rotation, preventing the vertex from descending. The mother should lie supine. The midwife should gently push the fetus upward, extend a hand, and use the middle finger to press under the shoulder to release the membrane. Wait for the fetus to be fully aligned, then the mother pushes to deliver the baby. This is called Hindered Delivery. Unskilled midwives should not attempt this, as ignorance may be fatal.

Tenth, termed Sitting Delivery:
Sitting Delivery involves tying a towel securely at a high point. The mother holds the towel, bends her knees, and sits lightly to facilitate birth. It does not mean sitting on an object during delivery, which would obstruct the birth canal. This is called Sitting Delivery.

Eleventh, termed Coiled Intestine Delivery: (Added Later)
Lady Gong, wife of Zhao Duyun, experienced prolapse of the uterus (referred to as intestine) before delivering each child. After birth, the uterus did not retract, causing great suffering. Doctors could not treat it. While in Jianchang, I learned a method from a midwife. The method is: when the uterus prolapses postpartum, mix half a cup of vinegar with seven parts fresh cold water. Spray this mixture onto the mother's face. With each contraction, the uterus retracts completely within three sprays. This is an excellent method that students must know.
Prescription for Pushing Up the Prolapsed Organ, also known as Coiled Intestine Delivery:
Grind Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) into powder and insufflate it into the nose to retract the organ.
Another prescription: Moisten a large paper wick with Sesame Oil (Mayou). Light it, blow it out, and use the smoke to fumigate the mother's nose to retract the organ.
Another prescription: Take fourteen Castor Seeds (Bidanzi), remove the shells, grind into a paste, and apply to the center of the mother's crown. The organ will retract immediately; wipe off the paste.