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Xu Aihui stated: The *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) mentions that during the seventh month of pregnancy, the Taiyin meridian is responsible for nourishing the fetus. From this, it can be seen that the theory of monthly fetal nourishment over ten months has a long history.

Xu Zhicai stated: In the first month of gestation, it is called "Taipei" (Fetal Embryo), nourished by the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; in the second month, it is called "Shigao" (Beginning of Paste), nourished by the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; in the third month, it is called "Shibao" (Beginning of Sac), nourished by the Hand Shaoyin Pericardium Collateral Meridian; in the fourth month, it begins to receive the essence of Water to form blood vessels, nourished by the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian; in the fifth month, it begins to receive the essence of Fire to form Qi, nourished by the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; in the sixth month, it begins to receive the essence of Metal to form sinews, nourished by the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; in the seventh month, it begins to receive the essence of Wood to form bones, nourished by the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian; in the eighth month, it begins to receive the essence of Earth to form skin and flesh, nourished by the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; in the ninth month, it begins to receive the essence of Stone to form hair, nourished by the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; in the tenth month, the Zang and Fu organs are all complete, waiting for the time to be born.

Xu Aihui stated: The *Renjing Jing* (Mirror of Human Life) notes that only the Hand Taiyin Small Intestine Meridian and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian do not nourish the fetus, because these two meridians transform into breast milk upwards and govern menstruation downwards.

Wang Mengying added a note: This describes the general rule! Some women deliver before full term; some must go past the due date; some vary in timing: none of these constitute disease. Only those who deliver prematurely with incomplete fetal development, or even at full term but with extremely underdeveloped infants, suffer from deficiency of maternal Yuan Qi. Furthermore, during pregnancy, preparatory regulation and tonification are necessary so that the fetus naturally becomes robust. My neighbor kept a hen that laid several eggs with soft shells. The neighbor considered this an ill omen and wanted to kill the hen. I said this was due to excessive egg-laying causing deficiency of maternal Qi. We fed her glutinous rice and *Solanum lyratum* seeds (Shechuangzi, 蛇床子). After a few days, the eggs returned to normal. Applying this to humans, the principle is identical.

Chao Yuanfang stated: After conception, changes occur every seven days. Miscarriages occur more frequently in the third, fifth, and seventh months; less frequently in the second, fourth, and sixth months. The third month corresponds to the Heart, the fifth to the Spleen, and the seventh to the Lung; these correspond to the Zang organs. Since Zang organs belong to Yin, and Yin is often insufficient, miscarriage is common! If a miscarriage occurs in the third month, subsequent pregnancies may also miscarry at three months because the Heart Meridian is injured; one must first regulate the Heart. The same applies to miscarriages in the fifth and seventh months. Only miscarriages in the first month are often unrecognized. The first month corresponds to the Liver; anger can cause miscarriage; washing the lower body opens the orifices and can also cause miscarriage. If a miscarriage occurs immediately upon the first attempt, it indicates injury to the Liver Meridian, leading to recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. Many people today who are infertile have suffered from first-month miscarriages, not necessarily from failing to conceive. Therefore, after initial intercourse, one should rest carefully, avoid further sexual activity to prevent disturbing the uterus, avoid labor and anger, avoid lifting heavy objects, avoid bathing, and take more herbs to nourish the Liver and calm Qi, thus securing the fetus.

Zhu Danxi stated: Yang exerts influence, Yin transforms, and pregnancy is formed. If Blood and Qi are deficient and insufficient to nourish the fetus, it will spontaneously abort. It is like a branch drying up causing fruit to fall, or a vine withering causing flowers to drop. Or, due to labor or anger damaging emotions, internal Fire moves, which can also disturb the fetus. Just as wind shakes trees or people break branches, Fire consumes things, which is the natural order of creation. The *Bingyuan* (Source of Diseases) attributes miscarriage to Wind-Cold injuring the Zi Zang (Uterus), which fails to grasp the true nature of the condition. Some pregnant women inevitably miscarry in the third or fourth month; their pulse is large and powerless on the left hand, and choppy upon heavy pressure, indicating Blood deficiency. One need only tonify Middle Qi so that Blood naturally nourishes. Decoct *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) thickly, add powder of *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩), and take dozens of doses to stabilize the pregnancy. Thus, I reflect that most intrauterine miscarriages are due to Heat and Deficiency. Regarding Heat and Deficiency, their severity must be distinguished. Generally, by the third month, the upper part corresponds to Ministerial Fire, making miscarriage easy. Otherwise, why would *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩), prepared *Artemisiae Argyi Folium* (Shuai Ai, 熟艾), and *Equus Asini Corii Colla* (Ejiao, 阿胶) be considered miraculous drugs for stabilizing pregnancy?

Fang Yuezhi stated: Pregnancy hinders the Spleen's function, leading to slow transformation and accumulation of Dampness, which generates Heat. Zhu Danxi used *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩) and *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) as holy medicines for stabilizing pregnancy. This is because *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness, while *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩) clears Heat. However, since pregnancy relies on Blood to nourish the fetus, using Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) without *Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma* (Chuanxiong, 川芎) as an adjunct is even more comprehensive.

Zhang Feichou stated: Ancients used Tiao Qin (a type of *Scutellariae Radix*, Huangqin, 黄芩) to stabilize pregnancy, suitable only for those with thin bodies, Blood Heat, rapid Ying circulation, and frequent upward pressure of the fetus. If the body is robust but Qi is weak, with the fetus sinking, Ginseng (*Panax Ginseng Radix*, Renshen, 人参) is needed to lift it for stability; if the body is solid and Qi is abundant, with the fetus failing to move properly, aromatic and acrid herbs like *Cyperi Rhizoma* (Xiangfu, 香附) and *Amomi Fructus* (Sharen, 砂仁) are needed to disperse it for stability; if Blood is deficient with Hyperactive Fire and frequent abdominal cramping, *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Danggui, 当归) and *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍) are needed to nourish it for stability; if the body is fat with Phlegm abundance, vomiting, and vertigo, Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) is needed to resolve Phlegm for stability. These all treat the excess of maternal Qi. If there are External Pathogens, exterior-releasing methods are still appropriate; for latent pathogens or seasonal epidemics, urgent purgation is especially indicated, except avoiding *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Mangxiao, 芒硝); this must strictly be avoided.

Wang Mengying added a note: Tiao Qin is only suitable for constitutions with Blood Heat. For those with Blood Deficiency and Fire, I use *Bambusae Membrana Saccharata* (Zhuru, 竹茹), *Mori Folium* (Sangye, 桑叶), and *Luffae Fructus Retinervus* (Sigualuo, 丝瓜络) as chief herbs, assisted by others according to symptoms, yielding excellent results. These three herbs nourish Blood, clear Heat, and extinguish Internal Wind. Among substances, nothing is harder than bamboo skin. The *Book of Rites* says: "Like the sheath of a bamboo arrow." Skin and flesh tightly adhering are best exemplified by bamboo. Although bamboo is hollow, its skin and flesh do not separate, making it a key herb for various Blood disorders. That it can plug a boat leak proves this. *Mori Folium* (Sangye, 桑叶): silkworms eat it to produce silk; *Luffae Fructus Retinervus* (Sigualuo, 丝瓜络) has fibrous connections, tough texture, and hard seeds, possessing forms of encompassing and connecting. Moreover, both are green and enter the Liver. For Liver Deficiency leading to insecure fetal attachment, they surpass Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) and *Equus Asini Corii Colla* (Ejiao, 阿胶). It is a pity no one has elucidated this!

Wang Haizang stated: There are two methods for stabilizing pregnancy: If the mother's illness disturbs the fetus, treating the mother's illness alone will stabilize the fetus; if the fetus's disturbance causes the mother's illness, stabilizing the fetus will cure the mother.

Zhu Danxi stated: In some women whose menses have stopped, or where the fetus has formed but is not fully developed, the fetus will inevitably abort. Observing their irritable and angry temperament, dark complexion, and robust Qi, this indicates excessive Ministerial Fire, which cannot generate Qi to transform the fetus, but instead consumes Qi and damages Essence.

Zhu Danxi further stated: In some women whose menses have stopped for three months, if the Chi pulse is choppy or weak, yet the woman shows no other symptoms, it indicates incomplete True Qi in the Uterus. Thus, Yang does not exert influence, and Yin does not transform. Although Essence and Blood condense, they ultimately fail to form a proper fetus, resulting in the expulsion of blood clots or blood blisters. Only those with a surging pulse will not miscarry.