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1. Transverse birth refers to the situation where the fetus is turning, but the mother exerts force too early, causing the fetal arms to present before the body aligns properly. The mother should lie supine comfortably. The midwife should gently push the fetal arm back into the body to straighten the posture, then use the middle finger to palpate the shoulder, ensuring the umbilical cord is not entangled or tethered. The fetus will then be delivered.

2. Breech birth occurs because the fetus has not yet turned, and the mother’s excessive effort causes the feet to present first. The mother should lie in a correct supine position. The midwife should gently push the feet back inside. After some time, the midwife should gently maneuver the fetal body, waiting for it to turn upright and approach the cervix, at which point delivery will occur.

3. Oblique birth happens when the fetus does not follow the correct birth path due to the mother’s forced exertion, causing the fetal head to tilt to one side. Although it may appear that the vertex is presenting, it is actually the frontal angle. The same method as above should be used to push the head back into alignment, allowing for delivery. If the occipital bone of the fetal head presses against the side of the anus, the midwife should gently support and correct it from the outside posteriorly, enabling delivery.

4. Impeded birth occurs when the fetal body is aligned and the birth canal is open, yet descent cannot proceed. This is often caused by the umbilical cord becoming entangled around the shoulders during fetal rotation. The mother should lie supine. The midwife should gently push the fetus upward, then use the middle finger to press on both shoulders to straighten and untangle the umbilical cord, facilitating delivery.

5. Seated birth results from maternal fatigue near the time of delivery, leading the mother to sit for a long time on a chair or cushion, obstructing the birth canal. A hand towel should be tied to a high place. The mother should hold onto it, gently flexing and extending her legs to open the birth canal, allowing the fetus to deliver normally.

6. Enteroptosis during labor (Pan Chang Chan) refers to the prolapse of the intestines before the fetus is born, with the intestines failing to retract after fetal delivery. Ancient methods suggest using half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of water, silently sprayed on the mother’s face and back, to cause retraction. Another method involves grinding forty-nine castor seeds (Ricini Semen), applying the paste to the mother’s crown, and washing it off immediately once the intestines have retracted. Folk practices involve splashing water on the mother’s face and back to startle the intestines into retracting. However, this is discouraged as startling may scatter Qi and cause other ailments.

A prescription for transverse or difficult labor: Have the mother lie supine. Prick the soles and palms of the fetus three to five times with a small needle, rub with salt, and the limbs will retract, causing the fetus to turn and deliver.

A prescription for enteroptosis during labor: Grind Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) into powder, insufflate a small amount into the nose, and the intestines will ascend. Another method: Light a large paper taper soaked in sesame oil, extinguish it, and smoke the fumes into the mother’s nose to induce intestinal retraction. Another method: Place the prolapsed intestines in a clean lacquerware vessel and soak them in a strong decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian); the intestines will ascend.