Library

After conception, couples should sleep in separate rooms, maintain mental tranquility, and focus on rest. One must carefully regulate the intake of the five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty) to ensure the harmony of the Spleen and Stomach, modulate emotions to prevent excessive joy or anger, guard against fright, and be cautious with daily activities to avoid wind and cold.

[Note] After conception, separating from one's partner and resting quietly is advised to prevent the stirring of Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo, referring to the Yang qi residing in the Liver and Kidney that governs reproduction), which could lead to the generation of fetal toxins. Carefully regulating the diet avoids the excess of the five flavors, ensuring the harmonious function of the Spleen and Stomach. This facilitates the generation of Qi and Blood in the mother, ensuring the healthy development of the fetus. Internally, regulate the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensive, Sorrow, Fear, Fright); externally, avoid wind and cold. Maintain a smooth daily routine: do not engage in heavy labor, do not be overly sedentary and sleep excessively, and do not climb heights or venture into dangerous places. In this way, the mother will remain disease-free, and the fetus will be secure.

There are two methods for stabilizing the fetus; it is essential to distinguish whether the pathology originates from the mother or the fetus. If the mother's illness causes fetal movement, treat only the mother. If the fetus's pathology causes maternal symptoms, examine the cause related to the fetus.

[Note] There are two approaches to stabilizing the fetus: the pathologies of the mother and the fetus must be distinguished for treatment. Whenever fetal movement is caused by the mother's illness, treat the mother; once the mother is stabilized, the fetus naturally becomes stable. Conversely, if the mother falls ill due to a disturbance caused by fetal pathology, stabilize the fetus; once the fetus is stable, the mother will naturally recover.

During pregnancy, clearing heat and nourishing blood are the primary principles, while regulating the Spleen and unblocking Qi serve as secondary adjunctive treatments. Sweating (Han), purging (Xia), and promoting urination (Li Xiaobian) are strictly prohibited. Treatment must be administered according to the specific syndrome patterns of exterior/interior, deficiency/excess, and cold/heat.

[Note] Zhu Danxi stated: During pregnancy, the primary approach should be clearing heat and nourishing blood, as there is a concern about damaging Yin and Blood. Regulating the Spleen ensures its robust function, facilitating the generation of Qi and Blood; unblocking Qi ensures smooth flow, harmonizing Qi and Blood. By regulating the Spleen, unblocking Qi, and simultaneously clearing heat and nourishing blood, the fetus will naturally stabilize. The "Three Prohibitions" refer to sweating, purging, and promoting urination. Excessive sweating may lead to the loss of Yang and damage Qi; excessive purging may lead to the loss of Yin and damage Blood; promoting urination may injure Body Fluids. However, treatment must still be tailored after carefully examining the exterior/interior, deficiency/excess, and cold/heat aspects of the syndrome, avoiding overly harsh medications.

For individuals with a thin physique, overly hot-natured substances should be avoided. For those with a robust or obese physique, tonifying Qi may risk stirring Phlegm. Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) are the key herbs for stabilizing the fetus; other herbs can be added or removed as needed. If Fire is excessive, double the dosage of Huangqin; if Phlegm is excessive, double the dosage of Baizhu. For Blood deficiency, use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction); for Qi deficiency, use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction). For unstable fetus, add Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Xuduan (Dianthi Herba), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), and Aye (Folium Artemisiae Argyi). For Qi stagnation causing abdominal distension, add Zisu (Perillae Folium), Dafupi (Arecae Pericarpium), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).

[Note] Individuals with a thin body type tend to have internal Heat; using too many warm-hot substances will damage Yin and Blood. Individuals with a robust body type tend to have Phlegm-Dampness; excessive Qi tonification may cause Qi stagnation and stir up Phlegm. Baizhu eliminates Phlegm and strengthens the Spleen; Tiaohuangqin (prepared Scutellariae Radix) clears Heat and nourishes Yin. These two herbs are the essentials for stabilizing the fetus. If other syndromes are present, they can be used as adjuvants. One may reduce Baizhu and increase Tiaohuangqin, or increase Baizhu and reduce Tiaohuangqin, adjusting freely based on the situation. If Fire is excessive, double Huangqin to clear Heat; if Phlegm is excessive, double Baizhu to resolve Phlegm; for Blood deficiency, combine with Siwu Tang to tonify Blood; for Qi deficiency, combine with Sijunzi Tang to tonify Qi. For an unstable fetus, adjuvantly use Duzhong, Xuduan, Ejiao, and Aye to stabilize it. If Qi stagnation leads to a high fetal position or abdominal distension, add Zisu, Dafupi, Zhike, Sharen, and Chenpi to soothe the Qi.
Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) and Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) formulas are found in the compiled prescriptions of the first volume.