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The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: When a woman is seven months pregnant, it may be difficult to ascertain. If she frequently experiences epistaxis (nosebleed) accompanied by muscle spasms (twitching/cramping), this indicates pregnancy. However, if she sneezes and her body trembles during the nosebleed, it is not pregnancy.

The *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) states: When the pulse of the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney Meridian) in a woman beats strongly, she is pregnant. "Yin bo yang bie" (the Yin pulse beats distinctly different from the Yang pulse) is called having a child. (Wang Bing's commentary notes: "Yin" refers to the Chi (cun-kuan-chi) position at the wrist; "bo" refers to the palpable beating sensation under the fingers. This pulse beats differently from the Cun (inch) pulse, which is a sign of pregnancy.)

(The *Su Wen* considers strong pulsation of the Foot Shaoyin as a sign of pregnancy, while the *Mai Jing* considers strong pulsation of the Hand Shaoyin (Heart Meridian) as a sign. Are the diagnostic methods for the Heart and Kidney identical? Here only the *Su Wen* is cited, suggesting there may be some validity to this view.)

The *Mai Jing* states: In the early stages of pregnancy, the Cun (inch) pulse is small and fine, with five breaths per pulse beat. By three months, the Chi (cubit) pulse becomes rapid (shu). If the pulse is slippery (hua) and rapid, and feels dispersed when pressed heavily, the fetus is three months old. If the pulse remains undispersed when pressed heavily but is rapid without being slippery, the fetus is five months old. A Chi pulse that is larger on the left indicates a male fetus; larger on the right indicates a female fetus; large on both sides indicates twins. The larger pulse resembles a "solid" (shi) condition. (The character "shi" is apt.)

To determine the sex of the fetus at four months of pregnancy: A rapid pulse on the left hand indicates a male; on the right hand, a female; rapid on both hands indicates twins. (Wang Ziheng stated that if all three positions of the pregnancy pulse are slippery and rapid, left-side predominance indicates a male, and right-side predominance indicates a female.) (Diagnosing based on the Chi pulse is indeed a profound theory. However, Wang Ziheng's statement likely applies to individuals with robust constitution.)

Have the pregnant woman walk facing south, then suddenly call her name. If she turns her head to the left, it is a boy; if to the right, it is a girl.

When the pregnant woman is using the toilet, have her husband call out to her urgently from behind. If she turns her head to the left, it is a boy; if to the right, it is a girl.

Lou Quanshan stated: According to Danxi, the male embryo implants in the left uterus, and the female embryo in the right uterus. This new theory aligns well with the aforementioned observations. Since the male embryo is on the left, the left side feels heavier; thus, when turning her head, she instinctively protects the heavy side and turns left. Since the female embryo is on the right, the right side feels heavier; thus, she protects the heavy side and turns right. Extending this logic to pulse diagnosis: if the fetus is on the left, qi and blood protect the fetus and become abundant on the left, so the pulse reflects this, making left-side rapidness or largeness indicate a male. If the fetus is on the right, qi and blood become abundant on the right, so the pulse reflects this, making right-side rapidness or largeness indicate a female. This is also consistent with the classic saying: "Yin bo yang bie, wei zhi you zi" (The Yin pulse beats distinctly different from the Yang pulse, indicating pregnancy). It means that since conception occurs below the umbilicus, qi and blood gather below to protect the fetus, causing the Yin Chi pulse to beat powerfully, distinct from the Yang Cun pulse. Similarly, if an abscess erupts above, qi and blood rise, and the Cun pulse becomes strong; if below, they descend, and the Chi pulse becomes strong; if on the left, the left pulse becomes strong; if on the right, the right pulse becomes strong. Danxi’s assertion that a large left pulse favors a male and a large right pulse favors a female, referring to the physician's own left and right hands, was likely a mistake by a wise man. (Danxi used this method to diagnose diseases in men and women, not originally for diagnosing pregnant women. This must be noted.)