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One, due to excessive comfort: Generally, during pregnancy, a woman relies on blood to nourish the fetus and Qi to protect it. She should engage in regular physical activity to ensure the free flow of Qi and Blood, keeping the fetal sac active. Prolonged sitting or lying down causes Blood stasis and Qi stagnation, leading to difficult labor. It is commonly observed that women engaged in field labor deliver easily, which confirms this principle.

Two, due to dietary excess: The fatness or thinness of the fetus is connected to the mother's Qi. Indulging in rich and heavy flavors leads to an overly large fetus, causing difficult labor. This is evidenced by the fact that women from humble backgrounds (wearing coarse cloth) often deliver easily.

Three, due to sexual indulgence: In ancient times, pregnant women lived in separate quarters and did not cohabit with their husbands. If intercourse occurs during pregnancy, before three months, it often results in threatened miscarriage or spontaneous abortion; after three months, it may cause the placenta to become too thick, leading to difficult labor. Additionally, the fetus may accumulate turbid substances, resulting in short life expectancy. Furthermore, the newborn may suffer from sores and toxins on the placenta, with smallpox appearing dense and difficult to erupt, leading to early death. All these are caused by the accumulation of parental lustful fire, which is truly pitiable.

Four, due to worry and doubt: Modern people do not understand the principles of childbirth. Some ask spirits and gods about fortune and misfortune, or pray through divination. Hearing of others who suffered complications during childbirth, pregnant women become suspicious and fearful. Fear leads to deficient Qi, resulting in difficult labor.

Five, due to timidity and weakness: For young women giving birth for the first time, if their Shen (Spirit) and Qi are timid and weak, and the Zi Hu (uterus) has not yet expanded, they may bend their waist and be unable to straighten up, tossing and turning without being able to expel the child. Similarly, middle-aged women who have given birth many times may suffer from depleted Qi and Blood, making delivery very difficult. They must take medicines to tonify Qi and nourish Blood before pregnancy, conditioning themselves to robust health, so there will be no worries at the time of delivery.

Six, due to panic and confusion: At the time of impending labor, some foolish midwives fail to distinguish between normal delivery and malpresentation. Seeing only abdominal pain, they urge the mother to exert effort to hasten delivery. If the mother complies, it may result in transverse presentation.

Seven, due to exhaustion: Exerting effort too early during labor, followed by a lack of strength to push when the baby is ready to emerge, causes difficult labor. At this time, taking Ginseng to provide support can facilitate delivery.

Generally, if a pregnant woman's Spleen and Stomach are vigorous and her Qi and Blood are abundant, the fetus remains stable and upright, and the child will be spirited and long-lived. Why would medication be needed to regulate Qi and Blood for calming the fetus? However, if one has insufficient constitutional endowment, with deficient Qi and Blood, weak Spleen and Stomach, and poor appetite, various deficiency syndromes will arise. Repeated miscarriages may occur, or the child may be born frail and short-lived. In such cases, medicinal support is necessary to help the mother calm the fetus and ensure the child's longevity. Therefore, Mr. Danxi edited the excellent prescription "Antai Yin" (Calming Fetus Decoction) to treat pregnant women with deficient Yuan Qi, unstable fetal Qi, poor appetite, abdominal pain, or lower back pain. Modifications are made according to symptoms to treat various antenatal conditions. More than twenty modified prescriptions follow, all of which can be used as indicated. Conception occurs when Jing (Essence) and Blood converge. Vomiting arises from the steaming of Stomach Qi by Essence and Qi. Deficient Blood and Liver Xu (deficiency) may manifest as a craving for sour foods; injured Stomach Qi may cause aversion to food. If a person is constitutionally weak with vomiting and obstruction, add Ju Hong (Tangerine Peel) to the base formula in appropriate amounts. If the constitution is rich and vomiting is severe, add Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap) and Jiang Zhi (Ginger Juice). Continuous bleeding is called Tai Lou (Fetal Leakage); lower abdominal distending pain is called Tai Tong (Fetal Pain). Tai Lou requires cooling properties; add Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) and Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root). Tai Tong requires warming properties; add Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) with shell in small amounts. For trauma causing fetal movement and bleeding, Jiao Ai Tang (Collagen and Mugwort Decoction) should be added. For anger causing Qi rebellion affecting the fetus, Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root) is prioritized. Scanty, dysuric urination constitutes Zi Lin (Pregnancy Dysuria); the An Rong formula is not suitable here. Blood in urine indicates Bladder Heat; Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with Chao Shan Zhi (Stir-fried Gardenia) is indicated. Zi Zhong (Pregnancy Edema) presents with puffy face and limbs with fluid retention; Quan Sheng Bai Zhu (Complete Life Atractylodes) can treat it. Zi Fan (Pregnancy Irritability) involves fright, palpitations, and occasional irritability; An Tai Zhu Ye (Calming Fetus Bamboo Leaf) is undoubtedly appropriate. Tian Xian Teng San (Celastri Vine Powder) treats fluid oozing from toe webs, known as Zi Qi (Pregnancy Gas); for deficient persons, add Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala). Ling Yang Jiao San (Antelope Horn Powder) treats neck stiffness, muscle spasms, and clenched fists, known as Zi Xian (Pregnancy Eclampsia); for phlegm, add Zhu Li, Ren Shen, and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis). When Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency causes the fetus to press on the bladder, resulting in umbilical and abdominal distension and urinary retention, Antai Yin is taken, and the method should involve inducing vomiting and lifting Qi. If Spleen deficiency and weak Qi cause slow transportation, leading to food stagnation, abdominal distension, and vomiting, the effect of Antai Yin is mild; add Ren Shen and Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) to harmonize. If chest fullness, abdominal distension, constipation, and generalized edema occur, it is called Tai Shui Bu Li (Obstruction of Fetal Water); Li Yu Tang (Carp Decoction) is used. For Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency, supplement with Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Wu Pi Yin (Five Peel Decoction). If fetal Qi attacks upward, causing heart and abdominal distension and pain, it is called Zi Xuan (Hanging Fetus); Zi Su Tang (Perilla Decoction) is essential. For poor appetite and afternoon fever, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is combined. For a large abdomen with a full fetus, obesity, and Qi congestion, where binding the fetus cannot relieve tension, near term, to invigorate Blood and dissipate stagnation, Da Sheng San (Generate Life Powder) should be tried. Chai Qian Mei Lian Wan (Bupleurum, Pinellia, Citrus, and Coptis Pill) treats bone-stealing fever. Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (Angelica Sinensis and Six Yellow Decoction) treats night sweats and afternoon fever. Repeated miscarriages occur because maternal Blood is too weak to nourish the fetus; taking the base formula in advance ensures carrying to term. A newborn lacking vitality is due to maternal Qi deficiency, which only suffices to nourish the mother herself; formulas for calming the fetus must be taken monthly. An older man marrying a young woman must practice sexual restraint until the menstrual cycle is regular; a vigorous male with a declining female partner must frequently use medicine to assist fetal strength. One who cherishes Jing and practices moderation in ejaculation will have offspring with abundant Shen and longevity. One who recklessly wastes Yang and exhausts Jing will produce offspring who are sparse and devoid of spirit. This is the inevitable law of creation; future generations regarding progeny should take note. Generally, pregnant women who are constitutionally weak must share Qi and Blood to nourish the fetus, naturally leading to various deficiency syndromes. Therefore, Mr. Danxi’s formulas for calming the fetus focus primarily on tonification, assisted by regulating Qi and clearing heat. Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, and Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) are the sacred herbs for calming the fetus; Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong), and Huai Shu Di (Rehmannia prepared with wine) are excellent agents for nourishing Blood; supplemented with Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) and Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), they form a prescription suitable for regular use. Before six months of pregnancy, the fetus has not yet rotated; Fu Ling (Poria) has a descending nature and should not be used excessively. Huang Qi (Astragalus) promotes fetal fatness and should not be added regularly. Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rotundus) is needed for fetal panting but, lacking tonifying properties for deficiency, may cause harm. Sha Ren can stop vomiting and relieve pain, but excessive use moves Blood and induces labor. Examining Mr. Danxi’s discussions on calming the fetus, there are only a few main points and repeated modifications. If one can apply divine flexibility in modifications, success rates will reach eighty or ninety percent. This is indeed a standard for later learners.