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The common people all believe that a delayed delivery causes the infant to suffocate and die, resulting in a difficult birth of a dead fetus, leading to the death of both mother and child. What is the reason for this? It stems from the fact that the parturient woman and her family do not understand the natural process of childbirth, nor do they know that mother and child can remain safe. Because they rely on the midwife (wenpo) as the main handler, if she arrives late, although the infant is ready to be born, the family members, ignorant of natural principles, panic. Instead, they instruct the parturient to endure and suppress the birth canal, preventing the infant from coming out, which leads to suffocation. The family is terrified, the parturient's spirit and soul are scattered, the dead fetus is difficult to expel, and danger is imminent. Any woman about to give birth should be helped to understand this principle in advance. This is especially important for first-time mothers; one must explain thoroughly that it follows the way of Heaven and nature. One should only remain calm and wait until the membranes rupture and amniotic fluid flows. Before the midwife arrives, clean the chamber pot thoroughly and place one or two hundred sheets of lined straw paper inside (to prevent injury to the infant's head by rushing to catch it). The parturient sits on it, supported from behind, allowing the infant to emerge naturally. If the placenta does not descend, the parturient may chew and swallow it herself, inducing vomiting to expel it. Prepare a small foot box with a nest made of paper floss. Quickly remove the infant and place it inside, covering it with paper floss, ensuring not to cover the infant's mouth (if the weather is cold, place a mild fire underneath for warmth). At this time, cutting the umbilical cord and bathing cannot be done immediately; wait for the midwife to arrive.

One: During pregnancy, sexual intercourse and desires should be strictly avoided. Once aroused, Qi and Blood will boil, causing the Zang-Fu organs to become unsettled, and the fetal breath will consequently be disturbed. Moreover, damaging the fetus often leads to loss of life (see section on spontaneous abortion). If the mother maintains purity and abstains from desire, the child will not suffer from leprosy, scalp sores, heat-toxin conditions, etc. If abstinence is maintained from early pregnancy, dangerous smallpox and chickenpox will certainly be avoided.

Two: Diet should avoid fried, roasted, grilled, and explosive-cooked foods, ginger, pepper, chicken, fish, shrimp, crab, seafood, mutton, pig heads, strong alcohol, spicy foods, and all heat-toxin substances. Otherwise, the infant may suffer from red eyes, constipation, sores, fetal heat, fetal toxins, etc. (See pregnancy dietary taboos).

Three: Daily activities and movements must be cautious. Avoid climbing high or wading through dangers, and reaching up to grasp objects. Especially avoid falls or sudden loud noises (e.g., if the mother is startled, the fetus will jump), which can cause fetal shock and various diseases, representing severe illnesses in infants.

Four: Avoid wind and cold. Treating a pregnant woman with exogenous cold is the most difficult. Methods to release the exterior or purge the interior, such as using Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), etc., hinder the fetus if used, but leave the disease severe if not used, creating a dilemma. If pathogenic factors enter and transform into intense heat, it often leads to miscarriage. Even if the fetus is forcibly preserved, it is often unable to survive later.

Five: The Seven Emotions and Five Wills can all stir internal fire, forcing blood to flow recklessly, leading to threatened abortion or fetal leakage. Therefore, to calm the fetus, cooling herbs like Tiao Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) must be used, because heat makes blood flow while cold makes it congeal. For first-time births, there is often fear and anxiety. One should explain the natural principles beforehand, emphasizing that childbirth is naturally easy, to calm their mind and prevent panic.

Six: Pregnant women should maintain tranquility. The classics state: "When the spirit is quiet, Yin generates" (sufficient blood nourishes the fetus, facilitating easy birth); "When the body is overworked, Yang becomes hyperactive" (Yang fire circulates, depleting blood). All needlework and labor should be temporarily stopped. The body should be kept relaxed and walking freely.

Seven: Regulate diet. Having grain brings prosperity; lacking grain brings ruin. Human life relies entirely on the transformation of grains into subtle essences to generate Qi and Blood. Do not fail to regulate intake due to lack of appetite for delicacies, leading to irregular meals and poor fetal development. Insufficient Qi and Blood are signs of dystocia.

Eight: Divination should not be practiced without cause. If there is slight discomfort, quiet recuperation is appropriate. Consulting fortune tellers or shamans will likely result in claims of averting disasters through sacrifices, wasting money on killing animals. Or, inadequate preparations and family noise may cause the parturient doubt and fear, leading to serious illness and harm.

Nine: Select an experienced and patient midwife in advance, and designate a quiet, honest, and cautious older woman. During labor, avoid confusion and errors. Abdominal pain during the tenth month, or fetal movement known as "playing fetus" (colloquially "turning"), is not yet the time for birth. Without experienced elder relatives to judge, young and inexperienced people might mistakenly call the midwife. The midwife, fearing future loss of business and seeking immediate profit, might falsely claim birth has begun and attempt induction, akin to picking unripe fruit. This results in minor illness at best, or fatal injury at worst.

Ten: When approaching labor, urgently prepare medicines, food, wine, vinegar, child's urine, ginger, sugar, utensils, charcoal, etc. The room must be quiet. The parturient may consume rich and flavorful foods suitable for her, but avoid sticky, greasy, and hard-to-digest items like glutinous rice flour. She should walk slowly, stretch her body, and stand upright, supported gently on both sides of the chest and abdomen by others. Endure the pain waves patiently until the membranes rupture and water flows, then assume the birthing position.