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1. Whenever a woman is pregnant, she relies solely on Qi and Blood for nourishment. Frequent movement ensures the smooth circulation of Qi and Blood throughout the body, causing the fetus to move and the joints and bone fissures to remain loose, making delivery easy when the time comes. Conversely, prolonged sitting or lying down prevents Qi from circulating and Blood from flowing smoothly, causing the fetus to become stagnant and inactive, and the joints to become tight rather than relaxed, thus leading to dystocia (difficult childbirth). This can be observed in laboring women in the fields who suddenly experience abdominal pain while traveling and deliver immediately.

2. The reason the fetus receives nourishment depends on the mother's dietary preferences. Because the Qi of the mother and fetus communicates through respiration, the fatness or thinness of the fetus depends on whether the mother's daily sustenance is rich or plain. If the mother indulges in rich and heavy flavors without restraint, it often results in an overly large fetus and thick placental membranes, leading to dystocia. This is evident in women who consume coarse food, who find childbirth easier.

3. In ancient times, pregnant women would reside in separate quarters and not share a bed with their husbands, fearing that sexual desire might stir within, causing Qi and Blood to boil and deplete. The fetus is suspended in the Bao Zhong (uterus) and relies entirely on Qi and Blood for nourishment. Violating these precautions before the fifth month often leads to Tai Lou (fetal leakage) or spontaneous abortion; after the fifth month, it often results in a "thick womb" condition making delivery difficult. Furthermore, leaking the Tai Yuan (fetal origin) may result in offspring with short lifespans or susceptibility to sores, pox, and rashes, which are difficult to treat. Otherwise, observe horses, cattle, dogs, and pigs: their litters are born easily and survive well. Why? Because once pregnant, these animals do not mate, whereas humans cannot abstain after conception, let alone those who indulge excessively. Although human and animal life origins are similar, one must be cautious.

4. For newlywed women giving birth for the first time, their Shen Qi (Spirit and Qi) is timid and weak, lacking experience. One must absolutely avoid discussing complications of childbirth with them. Fear of anxiety and dread may cause the Heart to hang and Qi to collapse; what was originally an easy delivery may turn into dystocia. Moreover, if the Zi Hu (uterus/vagina) has not yet expanded, fear of pain may cause the woman to bend her waist without straightening, tossing and turning in confusion for a long time, exhausting her Spirit and Qi, preventing the child from being born. Even middle-aged women who have given birth many times may suffer from deficient Qi and Blood, worrying about difficult labor. For cases of deficient Qi and Blood and exhausted Spirit, Dushen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) is excellent for promoting delivery. For other situations, refer to "Notes on Labor" and sections on promoting delivery and treating unopened Jiao Gu (pubic symphysis).

5. Pregnant women who are constitutionally weak and have reduced appetite may lack strength at term. This may be due to pushing too early before the fetus is ready to descend, or the mother having no strength left when the fetus is ready to exit. This causes the fetus to stall and the birth canal to become dry, making delivery difficult. Cui Sheng Wan Quan Tang (Delivery Ten-Thousand-Complete Decoction) is best used here, or Dushen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) is also effective. Some women cannot eat during labor; administering 3–2 qian of Ginseng decocted in water greatly boosts energy, surpassing the benefit of meat by hundreds of times.