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*Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) records: For treating dysentery/diarrhea during pregnancy, use one chicken egg, preferably from a Silkie hen. Make a hole in the shell, remove the white, and keep only the yolk. Add five qian of washed lead carbonate (Qian Dan), stir evenly, wrap in mud, and roast thoroughly until done. Grind into powder. Take two qian per dose, with rice water. If effective after one dose, it indicates a male fetus; if effective after two doses, it indicates a female fetus.

Shen Yaofeng said: I have tried this myself; some cases were effective, others were not. However, even if the diarrhea does not stop immediately, abdominal pain will certainly alleviate.

Xue Lizhai said: A pregnant woman suffered from chronic diarrhea. The physician used digestive-promoting and qi-regulating agents, which caused a heavy bearing-down sensation in the abdomen and threatened the fetal vitality. Subsequently, using Ejiao (Donkey-hide gelatin) and Aiye (Mugwort leaf) was ineffective. Using Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) stabilized the condition. She was subsequently cured completely by Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction).

Xue Lizhai also stated: When a pregnant woman has diarrhea discharging yellow fluid, it is due to the deficiency of Spleen Earth and the sinking of its Qi. It is suitable to use Buzhong Yiqi Tang.

Wang Mengying's commentary: This type of "xieli" refers to loose stools or spontaneous diarrhea. If it is "zhixia" (dysentery with red and white discharge), it should be treated differently.

*Jinkui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) states: For women who experience abdominal pain during pregnancy, Danggui Shaoyao San (Angelica Sinensis and Peony Powder) is the primary treatment.
Danggui (Three liang), Shaoyao (One jin), Fuling (Four liang), Baizhu (Four liang), Zexie (Half a jin), Xiongqiong (Sanliang, likely referring to Chuanxiong/Costus Root, Three liang).
The above six herbs are ground into a powder. Take one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure) at a time, mix with wine, and take three times daily.

*Jinkui Yaolue* states: Abdominal pain during pregnancy is called Baozu (obstruction of the uterine vessels causing pain). Jiao'ai Tang (Ejiao and Mugwort Decoction) is the primary treatment.
Chuanxiong, Ejiao, Gancao (Licorice Root, two liang each), Aiye (Mugwort Leaf), Danggui (Three liang each), Shaoyao (Four liang), Shengdi Huang (Rehmannia Root, Six liang).
The above seven herbs are boiled with five sheng of water and three sheng of clear wine. Reduce to three sheng, strain, add Ejiao until dissolved, and take one sheng warm, three times daily.

Xuaihui said: Yan Shi used this formula to treat restless fetus, fetal leakage (vaginal bleeding during pregnancy), menstrual leakage, lower back pain, and abdominal fullness radiating to the heart. If accompanied by shortness of breath, add Huangqi (Astragalus). An Shi also considered vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain during pregnancy as Baozu, for which this decoction is indicated. He further stated: Another prescription uses one jin of Ejiao fried with Ge Fen (Calcined Shell Powder) and several stems of Aiye, also named Jiao'ai Tang. It treats restless fetus, waist and abdominal pain, fetal Qi rushing up to the chest, and abdominal pain following blood loss.

*Jinkui Yaolue* states: In the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, if the pulse is wiry and there is fever, the fetus becomes more distended, accompanied by abdominal pain and aversion to cold, with the lower abdomen feeling cold like a fan. This occurs because the Zi Zang (uterus) is open (due to Yang deficiency failing to secure the uterus). One should use Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) to warm the uterus.
Fuzi (Two pieces, broken into eight slices, skin removed), Renshen (Ginseng, Two liang), Baizhu (Four liang), Shaoyao (Three liang), Fuling (Three liang).

*Daquan Yifang* (Great Comprehensive Medical Formulas) states: After the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, patients often experience stabbing pain and fullness in the chest and abdomen, or borborygmus, leading to vomiting, regurgitation, and reduced appetite. This is caused by excessive anger and worry, and irregular diet. Cai Yuandu’s favored concubine bore a son; when the main wife became angry and wanted to expel her, this illness ensued. Physician Wang Shifu prescribed Muxiang San (Costus Powder containing Ezhu, Muxiang, Gancao, Dingxiang), taken with salt water, resulting in cure after three doses.

Shen Yaofeng said: A woman from Xia Mudang, daughter of the Zhang family from Fengqian Bridge, sought my consultation in the summer of Ji Mao year. She reported being seven months pregnant and suffering from triple-tertian malaria and dysentery. Upon examination, she only complained of urinary retention, unbearable abdominal pain, and occasional lump-like protrusions in the lower abdomen. Regarding the dysentery, she had dozens of episodes day and night, but the discharge was scant and mostly fecal water; the malaria chills and fevers were also very mild. I reasoned that all these symptoms stemmed from Liver pathology. The Liver meridian encircles the genitalia and reaches the lower abdomen. Liver Qi stagnation causes distension, hence lower abdominal pain and difficult urination; severe distension leads to frequent urges to defecate. Liver pathology mimicking malaria causes chills and fever. I proposed a method to drain the Liver, promising to first relieve abdominal pain and then promote urination. She replied, "If I can achieve this, I will survive; do not worry about the fetus." I prescribed Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fruit), Juhe (Tangerine Seed), Baotongcao (White Akebia Stem), Baishao (White Peony Root), Fuling (Poria), and Gancao (Licorice Root) in a decoction. After one dose, abdominal pain ceased and urination became smooth; after four doses, both malaria and dysentery were completely eliminated, and the fetus was not lost. She took no further medication and delivered a healthy baby at term.

Wang Mengying's commentary: Xu Huitang said: The wife of Feng Xueyuan from Moling suffered from long-standing Pi Tong (abdominal mass pain). Each episode began with sharp pulsations around the umbilicus, quickly spreading throughout the abdomen, causing unbearable pain. Over many years, she saw numerous physicians with differing opinions. External plasters and internal pills, attacking, tonifying, warming, and cooling methods were all tried without effect. Her condition became critical, and she refused further medical treatment. Half a month later, the condition slightly improved. Two months later, her diet returned to normal. However, the initial pulsating sensation gradually extended, eventually filling the entire abdomen. Suspecting it was a drum-like distension (Gu Zhang), she sought treatment again, but it remained incurable. This continued for another three years. Suddenly, one day she nearly died from abdominal pain, but subsequently gave birth to a boy. Both mother and child were safe, and the abdominal mass disappeared. From the onset of the disease to childbirth, more than nine years had passed. Such rare syndromes, though uncommon, must be known by physicians.