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[Pulse Diagnosis]
A pulse that is level and deficient indicates a woman who is nursing. A Yin pulse that is vigorous and distinct from the Yang pulse indicates pregnancy. "Vigorous" refers to the pulse qi gathering in the lower part, while "distinct" refers to the difference in pulse qi in the upper part; this signifies harmonious blood and qi, with Yang distributing and Yin transforming.

A vigorous movement of the Shaoyin pulse (Heart pulse) indicates pregnancy. If the Chi position pulse cannot be obliterated by pressure, it indicates pregnancy; if the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions have equal floating and sinking depths and cannot be obliterated by pressure, it also indicates pregnancy. At the beginning of pregnancy, the Cun position pulse is minute and fine, with five breaths per pulse beat; at three months, the Chi pulse becomes rapid. A slippery and rapid pulse, which feels scattered when pressed heavily, indicates approximately three months of pregnancy; a pulse that does not feel scattered under heavy pressure but is merely rapid without being slippery indicates five months of pregnancy. A minute Cun, slippery Guan, and rapid Chi pulse, flowing smoothly and coming and going like a sparrow pecking rice, indicates pregnancy. A left-hand pulse that is deep, solid, rapid, and large generally indicates a male fetus; if the pulse shape is longitudinal, it indicates twins. A right-hand pulse that is deep, solid, rapid, and large generally indicates a female fetus; if the pulse shape is transverse, it indicates twins. A floating pulse accompanied by abdominal pain radiating to the waist and spine indicates imminent labor. A pulse rate of three beats per exhalation is called "Li Jing" (departing from the standard), and a deep, fine, and slippery pulse is similar. A Chi pulse that becomes urgent like cutting a rope indicates imminent birth. Thirst during the third month of pregnancy with a contrary slow pulse suggests water retention; if accompanied by abdominal pain, miscarriage is inevitable. A rapid pulse during the fifth or sixth month indicates fetal demise. A tight pulse indicates uterine fullness. A slow pulse indicates water metabolism disorder leading to edema. During the sixth or seventh month, a wiry pulse with fever and aversion to cold, with fetal Qi rushing into the abdomen causing abdominal pain and a cold sensation in the lower abdomen like a fan, occurs because the Zi Zang (uterus) is open. It should be treated with warming agents such as Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root). Sudden diarrhea of more than one dou of watery stool during the sixth or seventh month leads to miscarriage supported by leaning. During the seventh or eighth month, a solid, large, firm, and strong pulse that is wiry indicates survival, while a deep and fine pulse indicates death. In the tenth month, heat in the feet and body with a chaotic pulse is auspicious. A Shaoyin pulse that is floating and tight: tight indicates hernia and masses, abdominal pain, premature birth, and miscarriage injury; floating indicates blood loss, sterility, and aversion to cold. A minute and choppy pulse indicates infertility; a wiry and large pulse also indicates infertility, due to deficiency of blood and qi. After childbirth, a deep, small, and slippery pulse indicates survival; a solid, large, strong, and urgent pulse indicates death; a deep, fine pulse adhering to the bone indicates survival; a rapid and irregular pulse indicates death. For postpartum women contracting febrile diseases, a suspended small pulse with warm limbs indicates survival, while cold limbs indicate death. For postpartum women contracting Cold Damage or Wind Strike, a solid, large, floating, and moderate pulse indicates survival, while a small and urgent pulse indicates death. A floating and tight pulse should present with body pain; if there is no pain but borborygmus, it indicates Yin Chuī (noisy vaginal flatulence). A Cun position pulse that is floating and weak: floating indicates deficiency, weak indicates lack of blood; floating, shortness of breath, and weakness indicate heat. A Duyang pulse that is floating and choppy: floating indicates asthma/wheezing, choppy indicates cold. A Shaoyin pulse that is minute and weak: minute indicates less blood, weak indicates wind generation; minute and weak struggling together causes cold in the Yin region. Stomach Qi failing to vent leads to noisy blowing, caused by cold in grain Qi, treatable with Gao Fa Dao method. A Shaoyin pulse that is slippery and rapid indicates sores in the Yin region. A Shaoyin pulse that is wiry indicates prolapse of the Bai Chang (large intestine) forming a mass. A Shaoyin pulse that is floating and moving: floating indicates deficiency, moving indicates pain and prolapse.

[Etiology, Syndrome Differentiation, and Treatment]
Fetal descent is due to deficiency and heat. Zhuan Bao (retention of urine due to bladder displacement) is due to blood deficiency with phlegm. Tai Lou (fetal leakage) pressing on the Bao (uterus) causes difficult urination. Involuntary urination is due to phlegm; fetal descent is due to failure of blood and Qi to ascend. Treat with Si Wu Tang plus Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) and Hua Shi (Talc); add Er Chen Tang for phlegm. E Zu (morning sickness) is due to struggle between phlegm and blood; treat primarily with Ban Xia Tang (Pinellia Decoction).
Abdominal distension during pregnancy is due to unfavorable Qi mechanism with deficiency and heat. Use Chao Zhi Qiao (Stir-fried Bitter Orange Peel), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome). Chills and fever during pregnancy: use Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) removing Ban Xia. Tai Tong (fetal pain) is due to blood deficiency; An Tai Da Miao (Great Efficacy for Calming the Fetus) using Si Wu Tang, Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Zi Su (Perilla Leaf) is excellent.
Failure to expel the placenta may be due to fetal death in utero, blood rushing upward causing fainting, sudden profuse bleeding, or dry uterus preventing expulsion.
Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber, 1.5 liang), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark, 0.75 liang), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root, 0.5 liang), Tao Ren (Peach Seed, 30 pieces, skin and tip removed).
First take Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) 3 liang, then take the decoction cooked with ginger. If ineffective, take again. Alternatively, use Ban Xia and Bai Lian (Trichosanthes Sieboldii Root) pills.
Expelling Dead Fetus: Rou Gui (0.2 liang), She Xiang (Musk, 0.05 fen, taken together).
Another prescription: Po Xiao (Mirabilite, 0.5 liang), taken with Tong Bian (Child's Urine).
Formula for Inducing Miscarriage: Rou Gui (1 liang), Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit, 1.2 liang), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root, 1 liang), Qu Mai (Dianthus Herb, 0.5 liang).
Sterilization Formula: Can Zhong Zhi (Paper with Silkworm Eggs, 1 chi), burned to ash, mixed with vinegar water and taken orally, resulting in permanent sterility.
Dystocia is caused by敗血 (stagnant blood) wrapping the fetus. She Xiang (Musk, 1 qian), Yan Chi (Salted Soybean Paste, 1 liang), wrapped in Qing Bu (Blue Cloth), burned red, pounded into powder. Take 1 qian with wine quenched from a red-hot weight.
Another formula: Bai Cao Shuang (Soot from Chimney), Xiang Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Fu Long Gan (Burnt Clay).
Take with Tong Bian and vinegar; repeat if not expelled.
Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), Bai Ji Li (Tribulus Fruit), Huo Shi (Live Stone), Kui Zi (Malva Seed) all treat this condition.
Postpartum vaginal prolapse is due to downward flow of blood and Qi. Si Wu Tang, [Missing Character] Pi (Bark, 0.5 liang each), Mu Li (Oyster Shell, [Missing Character]), Huang Qin (0.2 liang), or added with Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) taken as a drink. Soaking Snake Bed Seed (She Chuang Zi) in cloth for hot compress is effective. Ou Gu (Cuttlefish Bone), Liu Huang (Sulfur), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) powdered and applied to the affected area.
Postpartum blood syncope is due to sudden deficiency; pre-existing phlegm-fluids and stagnant blood attack upward with Qi.
Xiong Gui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction): treats sudden deficiency taken with Tong Bian; treats stagnant blood taken with Jing Jie (Schizonepeta Spike).
Qing Hun San (Clear Soul Powder): treats deficiency.
Ze Lan Ye (Leonurus Leaf), Ren Shen (Ginseng Root, 1 liang), Jing Jie (1 liang), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 0.5 liang).
Pour down with warm wine.
Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus Dung), Jing Jie, taken with Tong Bian; Lu Jiao Hui (Deer Horn Ash), taken with wine.
Ban Xia Fu Ling Tang (Pinellia and Poria Decoction): treats phlegm-fluids.
Mu Dan San (Moutan Powder): Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root, steamed), Mang Xiao (Mirabilite, 1 liang), Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed, 0.5 he), Tao Ren (Peach Seed, 20 pieces).
Decoct in water and take.
Edema is due to chronic cold-dampness before pregnancy. Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Chen Li Yu (Old Carp). Prepare according to method.
Also known as Tai Shui (Fetal Water), commonly called Zi Zhong (Fetal Swelling), resembling general edema. Postpartum, it is due to stagnant blood transforming into water, or blood deficiency with Qi stagnation.
Panting and urgency. Due to sudden exhaustion of Ying Blood, Wei Qi has no master, gathering solely in the Lung. This is named Gu Yang Jue Yin (Lonely Yang and Absolute Yin), which is fatal. Due to stagnant blood steaming upward to the Lung, treat with Duo Ming Dan (Life-Saving Pill); due to Cold Damage or Wind Strike, treat with Xuan Fu Hua Tang (Inula Flower Decoction).
Postpartum muteness is due to stagnant blood confusing the Heart orifices. Black Qi rising from the mouth and nose and epistaxis after childbirth indicates exhaustion of Stomach Qi and failure of the Lung; Qi dissipates, blood scatters, enters the meridians chaotically, cannot return, leading to death.
Zi Fan (Fetal Restlessness) is caused by two Fires. The patient suffers from vexation and oppression. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Fu Ling (Poria), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf).
Heart pain is due to chronic cold clashing with blood, causing blood coagulation and Qi stagnation. Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus Dung), Pu Huang (Typha Pollen). Take with vinegar.
Zi Xian (Fetal Eclampsia) [Text Missing].
Lou Zu (Leakage and Obstruction). Bleeding after intercourse, dry fetus immobile, rushing up to seize the heart, abdominal urgency. Fan Hun Dan (Soul-Returning Pill), Da Sheng San (Generate Life Powder), Tian Xian Fang (Celestial Immortal Formula).
For pregnant women near term without saliva, if sick, first calm the fetus with Huang Qin and Bai Zhu, then use disease-treating medicines. For muscle heat, Huang Qin, Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Huang [Missing Character], Ren Shen; for abdominal pain, Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root), Gan Cao (Licorice Root). For colds, follow resolving methods.
For various postpartum diseases, avoid Bai Shao; primarily use Huang Qin and Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root). For internal foul matter rushing up causing chest and hypochondriac pain, use Da Huang and Tao Ren; for stabbing blood pain, use Dang Gui. For internal injury fever, use Huang Lian; for thirst, use Fu Ling. All diseases follow previous methods. For thirst only, remove Ban Xia; for panting and cough, remove Ren Shen; for abdominal distension, avoid Gan Cao. Postpartum body heat and blood syndromes are treated like Cold Damage. If Cold Damage has painful areas, pulse is wiry and robust, resolve Cold Damage; if blood deficiency with no pain, pulse is weak and choppy, tonify blood.