凡妊娠胎元完足，弥月而产，熟落有期，非可催也。所谓催生者，亦不过助其血气而利导之耳。直待临
期，乃可用脱花煎或滑胎煎，随证加减主之。或经日久，产母困倦难生，俱宜服滑胎煎，以助其气血，令儿速
生。
其有气虚无力，艰于传送者，必用独参汤，随多随少，接济其力，皆为催生要法。若期未至而妄用行气导血
等剂，以为催生，亦犹摘方苞之萼，揠宋人之苗耳。
脱花煎（见《新方八阵·因阵》）凡临盆将产者，宜先服此药，催生最佳，并治产难经日或死胎不
下，俱妙。
当归（七八钱或一两） 肉桂（一、二钱或三钱） 川芎 牛膝（各二钱） 车前子（钱半） 红花
（一钱，催生者不用此味亦可）
水二钟，煎八分，热服，或服后饮酒数杯亦妙。若胎死腹中或坚滞不下者，加朴硝三五钱，即下。若气虚
困剧者，加人参随宜。若阴虚者，必加熟地三五钱。
滑胎煎（见滑胎）
独参汤（见崩淋经漏不止）
临盆将产，腹痛已甚，凡催生之药，无如脱花煎，少用肉桂五七分，为最稳最妙；若气虚无力者，加人参
二三钱，虚者任意加用之。
催生若水血下多，子道干涩难出者，宜用滑利之物，如猪脂油、蜜酥油、葱白、葵子、牛乳、滑石、榆
白皮之类以润之，亦济急之法也。
Whenever the fetal origin is complete during pregnancy, delivery occurs after ten full months, and ripening and falling have their appointed time; it cannot be induced artificially. What is referred to as "inducing labor" merely assists the blood and qi (vital energy) and facilitates guidance. One should wait until the moment of delivery to administer Tuohua Decoction or Huatai Decoction, modifying them according to the syndrome for treatment. If the duration has been prolonged and the mother is exhausted and unable to deliver, it is appropriate to take Huatai Decoction to assist blood and qi, enabling the child to be born quickly.
For those with qi deficiency and lack of strength, finding it difficult to transport the fetus, Dushen Decoction must be used, in varying amounts, to support their strength; these are all essential methods for inducing labor. If one recklessly uses formulas that move qi and guide blood before the due date, thinking this induces labor, it is akin to picking unopened flower buds or pulling up seedlings to help them grow (as in the fable of the Song person).
Tuohua Decoction (see *New Formulas Eight Arrays · Induction Array*): For those approaching parturition, it is advisable to take this medicine first; it is best for inducing labor and also effectively treats prolonged dystocia or retained dead fetus.
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) (7-8 qian or 1 liang), Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui) (1-2 qian or 3 qian), Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) (each 2 qian), Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi) (1.5 qian), Carthami Flos (Honghua) (1 qian; for inducing labor, this ingredient may be omitted).
Add two zhong of water, decoct to obtain eight fen, take hot. Alternatively, drinking a few cups of wine after taking the medicine is also excellent. If the fetus is dead in the womb or stuck firmly and not descending, add Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao) 3-5 qian, and it will descend. If there is severe qi deficiency and exhaustion, add Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) as appropriate. If there is yin deficiency, definitely add Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi) 3-5 qian.
Huatai Decoction (see entry on Huatai)
Dushen Decoction (see entry on Metrorrhagia and Metrostaxis with continuous bleeding)
When approaching parturition and abdominal pain is severe, among all medicines for inducing labor, none is superior to Tuohua Decoction. Using a small amount of Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui), 5-7 fen, is the most stable and effective; if there is qi deficiency and lack of strength, add Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) 2-3 qian, which can be added arbitrarily for deficient conditions.
If, during induction, amniotic fluid and blood flow excessively, causing the birth canal to become dry and difficult for the baby to emerge, slippery substances should be used to lubricate, such as Porcine Adipose Oil (Zhuzhiyou), Honey Butter Oil (Misu You), Allii Tuberosi Bulbus (Congbai), Abutilonis Semen (Kuizi), Bovis Lac (Niu Ru), Talcum (Huashi), or Ulmi Cortex Albus (Yubaipi). This is also a method for emergency relief.