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The primary strategy for preserving the fetus is to abstain from sexual desire, and secondarily to reduce it. However, complete abstinence is very difficult. If one can reduce sexual desire, the mind and body will remain clear and tranquil, avoiding the strain of coitus; the fetus will be secure and delivery easy, and even the infant may suffer less illness and live longer. If one fails to be cautious and refrains from violating sexual conduct, before three months of pregnancy, there is often a missed abortion (hidden miscarriage); after three months, it often leads to fetal restlessness or premature birth. Even if premature birth is fortunately avoided, on one hand, the placenta becomes too thick causing difficult labor; on the other hand, the child's body suffers from turbid discharge and lacks longevity; thirdly, they are prone to sores and toxins, with smallpox appearing as fine, dense, and difficult to erupt, leading to early death. All these are due to the fault of excessive lust in parents.

Women during pregnancy rely entirely on blood to nourish them and qi to protect them. They should engage in regular movement to ensure the free flow of qi and blood, making bones and sinews strong. The fetus becomes accustomed to this state within the abdomen, so even minor jolts or strains will not cause miscarriage. However, this does not mean that labor should only begin after pregnancy; rather, it means that daily life should not be excessively idle. Prolonged sitting or lying down causes stagnation of qi and blood, inevitably leading to difficult labor later. It is commonly observed that hardworking women in fields do not miscarry during pregnancy and deliver easily, which serves as evidence.

During pregnancy, there is a preference for eating raw and cold foods, mainly because after conception, one tends to be more irritable and angry, and neglects caution regarding sexual strain, leading to hyperactive fire and thirst. Little do they know, how can raw and cold items dissipate heat in the blood level? They merely injure the spleen and stomach. Diseases such as malaria, dysentery, vomiting, and diarrhea all arise from this. Illness consumes essence and fluids, worsening thirst. Only by abandoning irritability, calming anger, being cautious with sexual activity, and taking herbs to invigorate the spleen and tonify blood to regulate the root, can recovery be ensured. Otherwise, collapse at childbirth and critical conditions postpartum are absolutely unavoidable.

Contracting external pathogens or suffering from shanghan (cold damage) and seasonal diseases during pregnancy, with unresolved stagnant heat, often leads to miscarriage or abortion, endangering life. One must know that daily routine and diet should be harmonized. In summer, avoid climbing stairs and stay close to the ground qi; at night, avoid sleeping outdoors and keep the back and abdomen warm. As the ancients said: "If you do not contract cold, you will not naturally have fever; if you do not catch wind, you will not naturally cough." This is a critical juncture in pregnancy; how can one dare not be cautious?

Quiet cultivation during pregnancy is the best method. Not debating right and wrong prevents injury to qi. Not striving for gain or loss prevents fatigue of the spirit. Having no jealousy allows blood to fill itself naturally. Having no licentious emotions allows essence to become sufficient naturally. Peaceful tranquility constitutes prenatal education. Bearing the heavy responsibility of continuing the ancestral line, pleasing the parents-in-law, harmonizing the marital relationship like zither and lute, and blessing the proliferation of descendants—this is why the ancients emphasized quiet cultivation first. Those without children who follow this can conceive; those pregnant who follow this can deliver easily. Is not the significance of quiet cultivation great?