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The *Classic of Medicine* (*Huangdi Neijing*) states: When the pulse of the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart meridian) in women moves significantly, it indicates pregnancy. It also states: When the Yin pulse (at the chi position) beats vigorously and is distinct from the Yang pulse (at the cun position), it is called having a child. If the cun pulse is洪大 (hongda, large and surging) and the chi pulse is large, or if the pulse at the chi position remains unceasing upon deep pressure, these are signs of pregnancy.

Note: In women suffering from leukorrhea (dai zheng, 带证), the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney meridian) pulse is often slippery and smooth, resembling a pregnancy pulse. However, it must correspond with the movement of the Hand-Shaoyin pulse to confirm pregnancy; otherwise, it is merely leukorrhea.

Generally, when a woman is pregnant, blood gathers and qi accumulates, making the uterine cavity full. Therefore, the Yin pulse at the chi position must be slippery and rapid, which is an inevitable principle. However, there are cases of conception in middle age or in women with weak qi and blood, where the pulse appears fine and small without being rapid. Yet, within this weakness, there must be a faint, sliding sensation. This is what is meant by "Yin beating and Yang distinguishing," which constitutes a pregnancy pulse.

However, while both fetal pulses and consumption (lao sun, 劳损) pulses can be rapid, the consumption pulse is rapid yet accompanied by wiry and choppy qualities, whereas the fetal pulse is rapid yet harmonious and slippery. The difference between pathogenic qi and stomach qi in these conditions can be known upon a single palpation. Further examination combined with symptoms makes it clear and obvious. Weak blood and flourishing qi indicate no pregnancy; flourishing blood and weak qi suggest conception. When menstruation ceases, the pulse is slightly slippery and rapid. Although the body may have ailments, the pulse lacks pathogenic qualities; it is not choppy, hidden, or wiry-taut. A slight cun, slippery guan, and rapid chi form a flowing, sparrow-pecking rhythm. If the guan pulses on both hands are large and corresponding, the fetus has taken shape without doubt. A slippery appearance in the right chi and left cun helps distinguish male from female. It is also said that a floating and large left cun indicates a boy, while a deep and fine right cun indicates a girl. A slippery and rapid pulse that does not scatter upon pressure indicates a three-month fetus; a rapid pulse that does not scatter indicates a five-month mother. By the eighth or ninth month, the pulse is no longer rapid, though some pregnant women remain surging and rapid throughout. A fetal pulse that is wiry, firm, slippery, and smooth indicates safety; one that is deep, fine, and minute suggests death (returning to the spring). If the pulse is deep and fine with slight abdominal pain, although the abdomen is shaped like a pot, it may not be a true fetus. Abdominal fullness without movement is a strange sign; only coldness below the navel with fluttering movement is noted. Furthermore, if the chi pulse differs between morning and evening, with varying size, depth, and floating/sinking characteristics, and if it stops, starts, exists, or disappears, this is the manifestation of a "ghost fetus" pulse. If diagnosis over several days remains consistent, why ask about tonifying qi and invigorating blood?

When a girl reaches fourteen years old, Tian Gui (heavenly water, menstrual essence) arrives; regulating menstruation requires clear pulse differentiation. If both chi pulses are deep and hidden, the disease is clearly amenorrhea. A large liver pulse and small lung pulse suggest conception; continuous and slippery chi pulses confirm true pregnancy. Flourishing heart and kidney pulses indicate pregnancy; a large lung pulse and small liver pulse mean pregnancy will not occur. A slippery and solid left cun is a male pulse; a deep and slippery right chi reveals a female form. Floating liver and lung pulses cause chest and diaphragm pain; deep and tight guan pulses cause abdominal pain. Menstruation occurs monthly; whether early or late, attention is needed. Early onset indicates blood heat; late onset indicates cold menstruation. Pain during menstruation is due to qi stagnation; pain after menstruation is due to qi deficiency. Black color indicates excess heat; pale white indicates phlegm condensation. Dust-like yellow fluid indicates blood insufficiency; purple color originates from wind-pathogen invasion. During menstruation, caution is required; depression causes blood stasis. Blood moving to waist and knees causes pain; dispersing to limbs causes numbness. Stagnation in the Blood Sea generates chills and fever; reversal rushing to the heart causes trembling and fright. These are the true secrets of regulating menstruation; doctors who memorize them find them effective.

If the chi pulse is slippery in women with irregular menstruation, accompanied by leukorrhea and stranguria, and the guan pulse is choppy indicating the cessation of Tian Gui, is this not a symptom of depression and obstruction? A slippery left cun and large left chi are signs of conception; a rapid left chi and subtle left guan are indications of bearing a child. A longitudinal quality in the left cun is an auspicious sign for two boys; a longitudinal quality in the right cun is a joyous sign for two girls. Large left guan and left chi pulses with a smooth heart pulse indicate three boys; large right guan and right chi pulses with a smooth heart pulse indicate three girls. However, if any of the three positions shows stagnation, one should not hastily promise pregnancy; if none of the pulses are smooth, how can one lightly claim pregnancy? If the fetus dies but the mother lives, the chi pulse floats and the cun pulse sinks; if the mother dies but the fetus lives, the chi pulse is choppy and the cun pulse hides. Because the fetus is connected to the Kidney, a floating chi means the fetus lacks vital energy; because the mother is connected to the Lung, a sinking cun means the mother retains vitality. The fetus is tied to the chi; if choppy, the fetus's qi does not dissipate. The mother is tied to the cun; if hidden, the mother's root has detached. Deep and fine pulses suggest the fetus is detaching from the channel; floating and slippery pulses suggest imminent delivery. Abdominal and lower back pain certainly indicate labor; rupture of membranes and amniotic fluid means birth is near. Heavy body, coldness, and bluish face indicate the pulse is not fearful; mental restlessness, dry blood, and black tongue with a cut pulse are worrisome. Difficulty saving both mother and child, with foam from lips and mouth; complete survival of mother and child, with white face and yellow complexion. After new childbirth, a slow pulse preserves stomach qi; a slippery pulse indicates spleen yin is undamaged. If the pulse becomes full and large, it is definitely not a good omen; if wiry and urgent appear together, how can it be auspicious? Deep, small, and solid is a favorable condition; choppy and hurried requires careful observation. A minute pulse is not harmful and can still restore yang; a surging pulse causes worry, especially if accompanied by reverse coldness. To know if pregnant, look for slippery and rapid chi pulses. A deep and solid left chi is the male form; a floating and large right chi is the female reality. Slippery on both sides indicates two boys; floating on both sides confirms two girls. A larger left chi indicates a boy; a larger right chi indicates a girl (large as if protruding). Also, a floating and large left chi indicates a boy; a deep and fine right chi indicates a girl. If the pulse comes intermittently and weakly, it indicates difficult menstruation.

Pregnancy Pulse: If the person eats well and suffers no pain, maintaining normal appearance and grooming, pregnancy is certain. True pregnancy involves vomiting, dizziness, and oppression. At this time, if it is phlegm retention causing nausea and aversion to food, one should urgently regulate the stomach and resolve phlegm, securing blood and calming the fetus to save both lives. If there is pain in the waist and abdomen, dry throat day and night, intense tidal fever, excessive sleepiness, poor appetite, fatigue, and drowsiness, this belongs to menstrual coagulation, not pregnancy.