安胎、固胎、养胎必当察其由来之邪，分其胎之所损在气在血，何者之虚？其胎与母受病孰先孰后？
方
制君臣佐使各适其宜，岂可守已定之方执而不通耶！
恶阻与胎化不成何如？曰∶一月始形，二月始膏，三月精血始化为胎，男女分矣。所谓恶阻与
胎之成否，皆在三月相火化胎之时。恶阻者，由相火化精血为胎，而子宫秽腐因火冲逆，上攻于胃，有
伤其味，故食不得入，津液亦不化，停积为痰为饮为呕吐，此以子宫秽气所阻其食，故名恶阻。前人
未明相火之道，故止言由中气壅实，故恶闻食气。
若夫不成胎者有二焉，一为母身之天真不足以化其胎，一为父精不足，皆致子宫与天赋凝结之真
不全。故在三月则化不成形也。有当时即漏下者，有待十月如产者。
一妇年三十余，或经住，或成形未具，其胎必堕。察其性急多怒，色黑气实。此相火火盛，不
能生气化胎，反食气伤精故也。因今住经第二月，用黄芩、白术、当归、甘草，服至三月尽止药，后得一
子。
一妇经住三月后，尺脉或涩，或微弱，其妇却无病，知是子宫真气不全，故阳不施阴，不化精血，虽
凝终不成形，至产血块，或产血胞。
一妇腹渐大如怀子，至十月，求易产药。察其神色甚困难。与之药，不数日，产白虫半桶。盖由妇之
元气大虚，精血虽凝不能成胎，而为秽腐蕴积之久，湿化为热，湿热生虫，理之所有。亦须周十月之气
发动而产，终是不祥，其妇不及月死。湿热生虫，譬之沟渠污浊积久不流，则诸虫生于其中矣！
To secure the fetus (An Tai), consolidate the fetus (Gu Tai), and nourish the fetus (Yang Tai), one must investigate the origin of the pathogenic factors, distinguish whether the fetal damage lies in Qi or Blood, and identify which aspect is deficient. One must also determine whether the disease originated in the mother or the fetus first.
When prescribing, the roles of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy (Jun Chen Zuo Shi) in the formula should be appropriately matched. How can one rigidly adhere to a fixed prescription without flexibility!
Regarding E Zu (Morning Sickness/Nausea of Pregnancy) and incomplete fetal development: In the first month, the form begins to appear; in the second month, it becomes like paste; in the third month, Essence and Blood begin to transform into the fetus, and male and female distinctions are established. Whether E Zu occurs and whether the fetus forms properly both depend on the phase when Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire, the fire of the Mingmen that drives growth and transformation) transforms the fetus during the third month. E Zu arises because, as Xiang Huo transforms Essence and Blood into the fetus, turbid and foul qi within the Uterus rushes upward due to the force of the fire, attacking the Stomach. This damages the Stomach's function, preventing food intake and hindering the transformation of Body Fluids. These fluids stagnate and accumulate to form Phlegm and Yin (fluid retention), leading to vomiting. It is named E Zu because the turbid qi of the Uterus obstructs the intake of food. Previous scholars did not understand the principle of Xiang Huo, so they merely stated that it was caused by excess and stagnation of Middle Qi, leading to an aversion to food odors.
As for cases where the fetus fails to develop, there are two causes: one is that the mother's innate True Qi is insufficient to transform the fetus; the other is that the father's Essence is insufficient. Both result in an incompleteness of the true essence condensed in the Uterus and endowed by Heaven. Consequently, the transformation cannot achieve form by the third month. Some experience vaginal bleeding immediately, while others do not deliver until the tenth month, expelling blood clots or placental tissue.
A woman in her thirties experienced amenorrhea at times, or formed a fetus that lacked complete structure, resulting in inevitable miscarriage. Upon examination, she had an irritable and angry temperament, dark complexion, and robust Qi. This indicated excessive Xiang Huo, which failed to generate Qi to nourish the fetus, but instead consumed Qi and damaged Essence. During the second month of this particular amenorrhea, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) were administered. Medication was stopped after the end of the third month, and she subsequently gave birth to a healthy child.
Another woman, three months post-amenorrhea, presented with a Chi pulse (pulse position used to diagnose Kidney Qi and lower jiao conditions) that was either choppy or weak and faint, yet she exhibited no other symptoms. This indicated incomplete True Qi in the Uterus. Thus, Yang could not act upon Yin, and Essence and Blood were not transformed. Although conception occurred, it failed to develop into a proper form. At delivery, she expelled blood clots or placental membranes.
A woman’s abdomen gradually enlarged as if pregnant. By the tenth month, she sought medication for easier delivery. Her expression and spirit appeared extremely distressed. After administering medicine, she delivered half a bucket of white worms within a few days. This was due to severe deficiency of the woman's Yuan Qi (Primary Qi). Although Essence and Blood had condensed, they could not form a fetus; instead, they accumulated as turbid and foul matter for a long time. Dampness transformed into Heat, and Damp-Heat generated worms, which is logically consistent. The expulsion required the full ten months for Qi to activate, but it remained an ominous sign; the woman died less than a month later. The generation of worms from Damp-Heat is analogous to stagnant, filthy water in a ditch that does not flow for a long time, causing various insects to breed within it.