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When a woman is young and Tian Gui (menstruation and reproductive function) has not yet arrived, it belongs to the Shaoyin Meridian; when Tian Gui has arrived, it belongs to the Jueyin Meridian; when Tian Gui has ceased, it belongs to the Taiyin Meridian. The treatment of pregnancy and childbirth diseases should begin with the Jueyin Meridian, as this is the source of congenital Qi transformation. In treatment methods, one must not damage Stomach Qi, as this is the source of acquired Qi transformation. The so-called "Three Prohibitions" are: do not induce sweating, do not purge, and do not promote urination, for fear of exhausting Body Fluids and damaging Vital Qi. Generally speaking, for postpartum conditions caused by epidemic pathogens, use modified Chaihu Decoction (Bupleurum Decoction); for miscellaneous diseases, use modified Siwu Decoction (Four Substance Decoction). One should carefully examine the pulse and symptoms before applying these treatments.

Regarding the principles of appropriate and inappropriate practices in child-rearing, people in the world are not only unfamiliar with them, but even those who know them rarely follow and practice them, inevitably facing the risks of miscarriage (half-birth) and difficult labor, as well as the dangers of fetal toxins leading to premature death, which is truly lamentable. Now, I will discuss the most critical points: When a woman is three months pregnant, the fetus's form begins to transform and has not yet stabilized, making it susceptible to change through external influences; if she speaks upright words and performs upright deeds, the child born will be dignified and solemn; those wishing for a son should listen to ancient historical and literary classics and hold bows and arrows; those wishing for a daughter should observe images of phoenixes and peonies and wear rings and pendants; those wishing for beautiful children should wear white jade; those wishing for virtuous and capable children should read poetry and books. Methods to change a female fetus to male include wearing realgar (Realgar) in a crimson gauze pouch on the left side, or secretly placing the husband's hair and fingernails/toenails under the mattress, or secretly placing three long tail feathers of a rooster under the mattress, without letting the pregnant woman know. These are all examples of external forms influencing internal sensations, tested repeatedly with success. In ancient times, pregnant women would live in separate quarters, accompanied by an old woman, avoiding sexual intercourse with their husbands, refraining from taking medicine indiscriminately, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, not believing in shamans or witches, avoiding strange foods, not listening to obscene or violent speech, not climbing heights or wading through dangerous waters, not undergoing acupuncture or moxibustion recklessly, not lifting heavy objects, standing upright, sitting properly, not uttering evil words, not wielding whips or sticks, not watching solar or lunar eclipses, not seeing ghostly or bizarre performances, not crying, not showing anger, not being frightened, and not bathing. During hot summer days, although bathing is unavoidable, one must avoid hot water. In severe winter, even if sleeping in cold bedding, one must not force the use of charcoal stoves for warmth. If one experiences great shock, violating these taboos can lead to difficult labor, and the child may suffer from epilepsy. If physical exertion causes excessive injury and Kidney Qi is insufficient, the child may be born with open fontanelles (Jie Lu). One must stay away from construction and earth-moving activities at home or in neighboring houses; if offended by such disturbances, the child may suffer disfigurement or death. Offense by knives leads to bodily injury; offense by mud/water leads to blocked orifices; offense by beating leads to dark discoloration; offense by binding leads to limb contracture. Do not sit pressing on the perineum, nor lie on one side for too long. Indulging in prolonged sitting or lying causes Qi and Blood stagnation. It is common to see wealthy families who over-nourish and remain idle, causing Blood stagnation and Qi condensation, leading to rigid pubic symphysis joints (Jiao Gu), resulting in difficult childbirth. Although they claim no labor, slight activity is necessary to keep Qi and Blood circulating in the four limbs, facilitating fetal movement. Just like poor women who walk and move frequently, unblocking sinews and bones and opening bone joints, thus delivering easily. The most severe cases involve ignoring taboos, indulging in sexual intercourse, disturbing the Uterus, which can disturb the Fetal Origin, leading to abortion within one month, spontaneous abortion or half-birth between three to five months, difficult labor due to an overly large fetus, obstruction by coagulated essence, or offspring with many diseases and dense smallpox lesions, all due to lust. While abortions at three to five months are known to everyone, early miscarriages at one month go unnoticed; how can one not be cautious? As the pregnant woman's waist and abdomen gradually enlarge, food intake should not be excessive, and tea/water should be rationed. Extreme heat or cold is generally unsuitable. Toxic substances must strictly be avoided. Even commonly used items like Zanthoxyli Fructus (Pepper) and Ginger Rhizome (Ginger) should be consumed sparingly. Foods like pork, strong wine, and damp noodles, although perhaps impossible to completely abstain from, should not be eaten greedily, as excess essence transferred to the fetus leads to excessive growth, causing difficult labor for the mother, while the fetus in the womb develops a fragile constitution, likely to be weak and distressed in infancy. When a woman has been pregnant for just three months, her abdomen should be fully wrapped; as fetal Qi grows, the binding can be slightly loosened, but never suddenly released due to breathlessness or fullness, lest the fetus become too large and cause difficult labor. All should strictly observe prohibitions and adjust care accordingly to avoid various ailments. This concerns the continuity of the family line and the value of human life; how can it be treated as a trivial matter?