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Heat-induced difficult labor refers to the situation where delivery occurs during the peak of summer heat. In this case, the delivery room should avoid direct sunlight, store plenty of clean water to mitigate the heat, and avoid excessive noise from many people to prevent the steaming heat from causing fever, dizziness, and Qi deficiency that hinders delivery. If there is strong wind or rainy weather, one must be even more cautious. In short, the temperature of the delivery room should be moderately warm and cool.

Cold-induced difficult labor refers to delivery during severe winter. The doors and windows should be tightly closed, and charcoal fires should be placed abundantly to keep the room as warm as spring. The lower body should be covered thickly to maintain warmth and prevent dystocia. If the lower part is exposed to cold, causing blood to coagulate and stagnate, and the joints and birth canal to tighten and contract, the fetus will not be born quickly. In such cases, use Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), each 5 qian, added with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) or Cinnamon Bark (Rougui), decocted in water and taken orally. Another method is to decoct Perilla Stem (Zisu) strongly into a soup for fumigation and washing, which is also effective. Generally, sitting on the grass (preparing for labor) too early or staying out of bed covers for too long often leads to this problem. Be very careful!

Fear-induced difficult labor may occur because a young woman is giving birth for the first time, her spirit and Qi are weak, the uterus has not fully expanded, her waist is bent and cannot straighten, preventing the fetus from turning and being born. In this case, Zisu Yin (Perilla Decoction) is suitable. Or, due to a history of difficult labor, fear and anxiety at the time of delivery cause Qi stagnation and failure to move, preventing the fetus from descending. In this case, Shuyu Tang (Soothing Depression Decoction) is suitable.

Zisu Yin (Perilla Decoction): Perilla Stem (Sugeng), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium (Chenpi, white part removed), each 1 qian; Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), 2 qian; Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), 8 fen; Areca Seed (Dafupi), 2 qian, washed; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Root (Gancao), 5 fen; Paeonia lactiflora Root (Baishao), 1.5 qian, stir-fried with wine. Decoct in water and take orally.

Shuyu Tang (Soothing Depression Decoction): Perilla Leaf (Zisu), 1 qian; Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), 3 qian. Decoct in flowing water and take.

Injury-induced difficult labor refers to trauma or disturbance before the full month of pregnancy, causing pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions and sudden urge to deliver. Or, taking催产 drugs recklessly to force rapid delivery; or panicking and exerting effort too early, causing the amniotic fluid to break prematurely. All these situations cause injury, so caution is advised.

When taking medicine to induce labor at the time of delivery, one must strictly avoid Rabbit Brain Pills and Rat Kidney Pills, as well as Huisheng Dan (Revival Pill). These two pills (Rabbit Brain and Rat Kidney) greatly consume Qi and damage Blood, while Huisheng Dan greatly breaks Blood and damages Qi. At the time of delivery, the hundred vessels disperse, and Qi and Blood are already deficient. Taking these Qi-consuming and Blood-breaking medicines will, on one hand, open the pores and invite Wind pathogens inward, leading to unspeakable disasters; on the other hand, it will cause severe postpartum Blood deficiency and fever, leaving endless aftereffects. Even these three formulas, known since ancient times as divine treasures, are so harmful; thus, others can be imagined. If medication is necessary, Jiawei Xionggui Tang (Modified Chuanxiong and Danggui Decoction) and Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) are sufficient. Delivery relies entirely on sufficient Blood; if Blood is sufficient, like a boat having water, why worry about it not moving? These two formulas use large amounts of Chuanxiong and Danggui to instantly remove old Blood and rapidly generate new Blood. The herbs are available everywhere, they strengthen the body, prevent postpartum diseases, and are truly beneficial without harm. These are divine formulas created by sages who thoroughly understood the principles of Yin and Yang to benefit future generations. Women in labor should cherish them.

Jiawei Xionggui Tang (Modified Chuanxiong and Danggui Decoction): Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), 1 liang; Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), 7 qian; Hair Ash (Xueyu, i.e., hair from a healthy, robust woman, washed, roasted on a tile until carbonized but retaining efficacy), 7 qian; Tortoise Plastron (Guiban), 7 qian, fried with su (animal fat). Decoct in water and take. Delivery usually occurs after walking about five li.

Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder): Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), 5 qian; Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), 3 qian. Decoct with seven parts water and three parts wine until seven parts remain, then take.