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It is stated: The distribution of Yang and the transformation of Yin result in pregnancy. When the Qi of the Three Yin meridians converges, female offspring are more likely to be born. However, at three months of gestation, it is termed "Initial Fetus" (Shi Tai). At this stage, the blood vessels have not yet flowed smoothly, and the fetus changes according to the forms perceived by the mother. Since the sex has not yet been determined, it is advised to administer medicines or employ methods during this period of less than three months to influence the birth of a male child. The method involves placing an axe under the pregnant woman's bed with the blade pointing downwards, without letting others know. For those who doubt this, when a hen is brooding eggs, one may place the nest under the axe following this method; all chicks hatched from that nest will be roosters. Although this has not been tested, it is knowledge one should not ignore. Once conception occurs for three months, the fetus undergoes changes influenced by external objects. Therefore, the ancients established prenatal education (Tai Jiao), which can ensure the child is born kind, long-lived, loyal, imitative, benevolent, righteous, intelligent, and free from disease. This requires exposing oneself to beautiful scenes throughout the ten months of pregnancy and avoiding evil or perverse influences, which constitutes true good education. If there is any trauma affecting the fetus, there are specific treatment methods for each case.

Furthermore, from the first sign of pregnancy, take the string of a bow or crossbow and bind it around the lower waist of the woman; remove it after one hundred days. This is the secret method of Zi Gong Yu Nu. Before three months of pregnancy, take three long feathers from the tip of a rooster's tail and secretly place them under the woman's sleeping mat without her knowing; this is effective.

Also, take the husband's hair, fingernails, and toenails, and secretly place them under the sleeping mat without her knowing.

Additionally, if pregnancy has just reached three months and a male child is desired, carry half a tael of Realgar (Xiong Huang) on one's person; if a female child is desired, carry Orpiment (Ci Huang).

Wang Ziheng said: In cases of pregnancy, the pulse in all three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) is slippery, large, and rapid. (If the pulse is prominent on the left side, it indicates a male; if on the right, a female.) The Classics state: "When the Yin pulse beats strongly and is distinct from the Yang pulse, it is called having a child." "Beating strongly" means approaching. The Yin pulse approaches the lower part, while the Yang pulse emerges distinctly from the upper part. Seeing Yang within Yin indicates that Yang has distributed and Yin has transformed, suggesting pregnancy is expected. It is also stated: If the Shao Yin pulse beats particularly vigorously, it indicates pregnancy. The Hand-Shao Yin meridian belongs to the Heart, and the Foot-Shao Yin meridian belongs to the Kidney. The Heart governs Blood, and the Kidney governs Essence. When Essence and Blood converge, and consciousness is implanted therein, pregnancy occurs. It is further stated: If the pulses in all three positions are floating and sinking equally normal, with no other diseases present, it indicates pregnancy; other conditions are described as in the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic). A floating and vigorous pulse at the Chi position on the left hand indicates a male fetus; a floating and vigorous pulse at the Chi position on the right hand indicates a female fetus. If both hands' Chi positions are vigorous, it indicates twin males; if both are deep and solid, it indicates twin females. It is also said: A pulse beat that skips once every two beats at the middle finger indicates a one-month fetus; skipping twice every four beats indicates a two-month fetus.