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Deficiency after childbirth primarily lies in the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai). Sun Simiao (Sun Zhenren) established the theory beforehand, and Ye Tianshi elucidated it clearly afterwards; this is what gynecological practitioners must recognize first. The Eight Extraordinary Vessels are attached to the Liver and Kidney, much like a tree has its root. The interaction of Yin and Yang, during pregnancy and postpartum, relies entirely on these vessels for the generation and transformation of life. As the ancient saying goes: "The way of medicine connects with the way of immortality," this is the gateway.

When a dead fetus fails to be expelled, one should not rigidly adhere to established prescriptions and indiscriminately use methods to purge and descend. Instead, one must investigate the cause of retention, consider the symptoms presenting at that moment, correct deviations, remedy deficiencies, and the fetus will naturally be expelled. I treated a woman whose dead fetus had remained inside for two days. Her pulse was surging (Hong) and hollow (Kou). Upon inquiry, she presented with continuous profuse sweating and mental confusion bordering on collapse. I stated: "This is extreme deficiency of Heart Qi, unable to secure the fetus. Regardless of whether the fetus is dead or alive, we must first secure the Heart Qi." I used Jiuni Tang (Rescue from Collapse Decoction) added with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), decocted into three cups. After drinking one cup, the sweating ceased; after two cups, her spirit became clear and calm. She did not need to drink the third cup as the dead fetus was already expelled. After expulsion, I tonified the Yin of the Liver and Kidney to coordinate with the function of Heart Yang, leading to recovery. If one were to rigidly stick to established formulas and use Pingwei San (Peaceful Stomach Powder) or Po Xiao (Mirabilite), would there be any hope for life?

Methods to induce labor should also not be restricted to a single approach. For Yang deficiency, tonify Yang; for Yin damage, gather/consolidate Yin; for Blood stasis, unblock Blood. I treated a woman who typically had a slow pulse and suffered from abdominal masses (Jia) due to cold accumulation causing Jue (reversal) pain. I prescribed large doses of pills designed to unblock and tonify the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. After taking them for half a year, she conceived. During delivery, the fetus did not emerge for five days. In the evening, she invited me to examine her. Her face was blue-green, and her pulse beat only twice per breath (Yi Xi Li Zhi - extremely slow). I used Anbian Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi, specifically from Annan/Cambodia) 5 qian, combined with herbs that warm the meridians and tonify Qi, decocted into three cups. After drinking two cups, she delivered, without needing the third cup. The next day, her pulse was choppy (Se), and she experienced severe abdominal pain that refused pressure. I instructed her to take the remaining third cup, but reduced the dosage strength, using one dose. She expelled a blood clot measuring seven to eight cun in length and two to three cun in width. She originally had two such clots in her abdomen; having expelled one, I dared not continue with purgative methods. I continued with warming and unblocking methods for the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, leading to gradual recovery. There are many other verified cases; I briefly mention one or two to illustrate the principles.