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Wu Fangshi, in the *Lunxin Jing* (Classic of the Cranium and Fontanelle), states: In the first month of pregnancy, it is called "Tai Bao" (embryonic sac), which is the coagulation of essence and blood. In the second month, it is called "Tai Xing" (fetal form), where the embryo begins to take shape. In the third month, the Yang Spirit transforms into the Three Hun (Ethereal Souls). In the fourth month, the Yin Spirit transforms into the Seven Po (Corporeal Souls). In the fifth month, the five forms differentiate, corresponding to the formation of the Five Zang Organs. In the sixth month, the six rhythms are established, corresponding to the formation of the Six Fu Organs. In the seventh month, the eyes open, orifices become patent, enabling the perception of light. In the eighth month, the Yuan Shen (Original Spirit) is complete, and the True Spirit descends. In the ninth month, the Gong Shi (uterine structure) is fully arranged, determining the birth of the newborn. In the tenth month, Qi reception is sufficient, and all phenomena/forms are completed.

The *Wangzang Lun* (Treatise on the Five Viscera) quotes Shiva (Qipo): In the first month, the fetus is like a dewdrop; in the second month, like a peach blossom; in the third month, male and female distinctions appear; in the fourth month, features are complete; in the fifth month, sinews and bones form; in the sixth month, hair grows; in the seventh month, the Hun wanders, and a male fetus can move his left hand; in the eighth month, the Po wanders, and the infant can move his right hand; in the ninth month, the body turns three times; in the tenth month, Qi reception is sufficient.

Sun Simiao said: Generally, while the fetus is in the womb, in the first month it is Pei (germ), in the second month it is Tai (embryo), in the third month blood vessels appear, in the fourth month the physical form is complete, in the fifth month it can move, in the sixth month various bones are present, in the seventh month hair grows, in the eighth month internal organs are formed, in the ninth month food enters the stomach for nourishment, and in the tenth month when Hundred Spirits are prepared, birth occurs. After birth, at sixty days, the pupils are formed, and the infant can cough, laugh, and respond to others; at one hundred fifty days, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) is formed, allowing self-turning; at one hundred eighty days, the hip bones are formed, allowing sitting alone; at two hundred ten days, the metacarpal bones are formed, allowing crawling; at three hundred days, the patella is formed, enabling walking. If development does not follow these timelines, there must be imbalances.

The *Chao Shi Bing Yuan Lun* (Discussion on Disease Sources by Chao Yuanfang) states: The first month of pregnancy is named Taipei (embryonic germ), nourished by the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; the second month is named Shigao (beginning fat/marrow), nourished by the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; the third month is named Shitai (initial fetus), nourished by the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. At this time, blood does not flow freely, the image begins to transform, without fixed posture, changing due to influences. To desire the child to be upright and solemn, one should speak righteous words and perform righteous deeds; to desire beauty, one should wear white jade; to desire virtue and ability, one should read poetry and books. This is called external images affecting internal sensations. In the fourth month, blood vessels begin to form, nourished by the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian; in the fifth month, Qi begins to form, nourished by the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; in the sixth month, sinews begin to form, nourished by the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; in the seventh month, bones begin to form, nourished by the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian; in the eighth month, skin begins to form, nourished by the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; in the ninth month, hair begins to form, nourished by the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; in the tenth month, the Five Zang and Six Fu Organs, joints, and human spirits are all complete. This is the general outline.

Chen Linchuan said: I have attempted to deduce the principle of meridian nourishment during pregnancy as discussed by Chao Yuanfang. For instance, the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian constitute a Zang-Fu pair and interior-exterior relationship, and so do the others. Since the seasons begin with Spring Wood, the nourishment of the twelve meridians begins with the Liver and Gallbladder, hence nourishing the fetus in the first and second months. The Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian belong to Fire and flourish in Summer, hence nourishing the fetus in the third and fourth months. The Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian are the Heart meridians; since the Heart is the Sovereign Officer, it acts through non-action and unity. The Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian belong to Earth and flourish in Late Summer, hence nourishing the fetus in the fifth and sixth months. The Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian belong to Metal and flourish in Autumn, hence nourishing the fetus in the seventh and eighth months. The Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian belongs to Water and flourishes in Winter, hence nourishing the fetus in the ninth month. Moreover, the mother's Kidneys are connected to the fetus; this is the mother's True Qi, upon which the child relies. By the tenth month, the fetus in the womb has received sufficient nourishment from the Qi and pulses of all viscera, then waits for the proper time to be born. This theory possesses profound truth; no subsequent exposition has surpassed Chao Yuanfang's discussion. I therefore recount his teachings.

There is a distinction between male and female fetuses. The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: The Way of Heaven creates males, the Way of Earth creates females. The *Lunxin Jing* says: Convergence of Three Yang meridians produces a male; convergence of Three Yin meridians produces a female. Ge Xianweng said: Males derive from paternal Qi, females from maternal Qi. The *Shengji Jing* (Holy Relief Classic) states: The Virtue of Heaven and the Qi of Earth, the supreme harmony of Yin and Yang, flow and blend into one body. If movement due to Qi is to the left, it belongs to Yang; supported by Yang, it becomes male. If movement is to the right, it belongs to Yin; supported by Yin, it becomes female. Therefore, regarding male and female fetuses, formation has speed differences; regarding Yin-Yang constitutions, gestation has directional orientations. Thus, male fetuses move in the third month because Yang energy is early; female fetuses move in the fifth month because Yin energy is late. Female fetuses face away from the mother's abdomen (resembling the mother's back), so the mother's abdomen feels soft; male fetuses face the mother's abdomen, so the mother's abdomen feels hard. These are rational discussions that should be observed. As for Chu Shi's explanation of gender based on the sequence of essence and blood arrival, or the *Daozang Jing*'s claim that conception on the first, third, or fifth day yields a male, these are all speculative and vague, lacking definitive evidence.

I dare not blindly believe these accounts, thus offering my brief treatise separately, listed under the "Offspring Lineage Category".