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After delivery, the puerpera should not lie on the bed immediately. She should be supported by others to gently massage from below the epigastrium down to the umbilical and abdominal region, five or six times a day. Even when sleeping, she should be massaged occasionally so that lochia (postpartum discharge of blood and tissue) does not stagnate.

The abdomen should be warmed with heated small garments; even in midsummer, the thin quilt should not be removed. Cold in the abdomen causes blood clots to fail to move and leads to pain.

Once the infant is delivered, take two doses of Shenghua Tang (Postpartum Involution Decoction), decocted three times in total, to eliminate various ailments.

If the placenta fails to expel after the infant's birth, carefully protect the lower part (vulva and vagina). In winter, use fire within the bedding to warm the abdomen with hot clothes. Also administer Shenghua Tang, Yimu Wan (Motherwort Pill), and other pills designed to facilitate placental expulsion.

If the puerpera is extremely deficient, heat bricks, stones, or lead weights and pour vinegar over them; inhale the fumes to prevent syncope due to blood loss (blood fainting).

Immediately after delivery, take one dose of Shenghua Tang. If very hungry, consume one cup of white rice porridge, but do not eat too much. After one hour, take another dose of Shenghua Tang.

If there is no desire to eat, continue taking two doses of Shenghua Tang, decocted three times in total, before eating meals; this is highly recommended.

Do not consume excessive alcohol immediately postpartum. Alcohol disperses lochia into the four limbs, causing joint pain in old age. Moreover, the visceral qi is weak and cannot withstand the potency of alcohol, leading to mental confusion.

For seven days postpartum, absolutely avoid washing the lower part; washing may resume after seven days. Wash while seated on the bed. Only after one full month may one comb hair and bathe. For one hundred days, avoid excessive physical labor.

At the end of winter and beginning of spring, when the weather is cold and congealed, it is advisable to seal the delivery room tightly and place fires around to maintain a warm and humid atmosphere. Lower body garments must not be removed to prevent cold from the uterus and blood coagulation, which could lead to difficult labor or retained placenta.

\rDelivery Charm\p02-g3a1.bmp\rGhost
When used during the day, face the charm toward the Sun; at night, face it toward the Moon. After reciting the incantation, burn the charm to ash and swallow with boiling water. It will invariably be effective. Do not disseminate it widely; if passed to too many people, it loses efficacy.

In puerperae, blood is primary and qi is secondary. When blood nourishes, qi moves smoothly, making the uterus lubricated and physiological processes easy. The fetus is like a fish, and amniotic fluid is like water. When water flows, the fish moves; when water dries up, the fish stops. Thus, difficult labor is caused by insufficient blood and stagnant qi. Jiajian Wuling San (Modified Five-Ingredient Poria Decoction) is the main prescription. (Also known as Cui Sheng Ru Sheng San, Delivery-Saint-Promoting Powder)

Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Fu Ling (Poria), Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Che Qian (Plantaginis Semen), Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Bing Lang (Arecae Semen), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 qian), Hua Shi Mo (Talcum Powder) (2 qian), Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medulla) (49 cun).

Decoct with long-flowing water. If amniotic fluid is dry and viscous, add Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Dang Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix caudex), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma). If food intake is reduced and middle jiao qi is deficient, add Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix).