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**Huatai Zhike San (Slippery Fetus Bitter Orange Powder)**: It has the effect of making the fetus slender and facilitating delivery. Princess Huyang experienced multiple days of labor with the fetus failing to descend during each birth, until a Daoist priest from Nanshan presented this prescription.
Ingredients and Dosages: Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit) sourced from Shangzhou (2 liang), Fencao (Licorice Root) (1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind the above ingredients into a fine powder. Take 2 qian mixed with boiling water. Consume on an empty stomach, three times daily. For those pregnant for seven or eight months or more, taking this will facilitate the birth of the fetus. The newborn will initially be small in size and slightly dark-skinned, gradually turning white after one hundred days. Although this is Sun Simiao's (Sun Zhenren) prescription for slippery fetus and easy delivery, its efficacy lies in suppressing Yang Qi and descending Qi, ranking it among the best of many prescriptions. The dosages of this prescription are based on *Bi Yong Fang* (Prescriptions Essential for Use), which is considered the standard. Another version uses 6 liang of Zhike and 1 liang of Gancao. (Gancao is cold in nature before childbirth; thus, Zhike is increased and Gancao is decreased. In the month prior to delivery, it can be taken three times daily, but one should avoid climbing high places or using toilets.) Another variation adds 0.5 sheng of glutinous rice, washed and drained, stir-fried together with the herbs, then ground into powder. Take 1-2 qian mixed with rice water or plain boiled water. Wen Yiju added Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) and Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) in equal proportions.

**Zhang Shi Fang (Master Zhang's Prescription)**: Treats pregnancy where fetal overgrowth causes uterine constriction, leading to difficulty in movement and daily activities. Taken near term, it reduces fetal size to facilitate delivery. It also treats various intestinal diseases, descending Qi and widening the chest diaphragm.
Ingredients and Dosages: Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit) (5 liang), Gancao (Licorice Root) (1.5 liang), Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma) (3 liang, stir-fried and de-husked).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Can be taken mixed with ginger decoction. For husbands or wives suffering from piercing pain in the hypochondrium due to cold Qi, boil with 3 cun of scallion white and take. For women with spleen-cold and blood-Qi stagnation forming masses causing pain, take mixed with hot wine. For urinary and fecal obstruction, take mixed with decoction of Baiqianniu (White Morning Glory Seed) powder. The formula in *Xuan Qi Fang* consists of: Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma), Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit) (2 liang each), Gancao (Licorice Root) (0.5 liang).

**Neibu Wan (Internal Tonifying Pill)**: Treats deficiency of the Chong and Ren meridians in pregnant women, nourishing blood and calming the fetus.
Ingredients and Dosages: Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) (2 liang), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) (lightly stir-fried, 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. Mix with refined honey to form pills the size of wet wax tree seeds. Take 30-40 pills with warm wine.

Scholar Xu stated: Generally, for pregnant women, the key lies in suppressing Yang Qi and assisting Yin Qi. *Suwen* states: "When the Yin pulse beats distinctly while the Yang is separate, it indicates pregnancy." Roughly speaking, the area anterior to the Guan position belongs to Yang, and the area posterior belongs to Yin. If the pulse at the Chi position feels vigorous and unceasing upon pressure, it indicates pregnancy. When women are at rest, slight excess of Yang Qi is harmless. However, during pregnancy, when the body closes the meridian tunnels to nourish the fetus, if Yang Qi is excessive and attacks the meridians, it causes erratic meridian flow, making the fetus unstable. As *Suwen* says: "Yin deficiency with Yang pounding leads to metrorrhagia." There are many prescriptions to suppress Yang and assist Yin, but prenatal medications should strictly avoid chaotic combinations of herbs. If Yin and Yang are mixed indiscriminately, other diseases may arise. Only Zhike San suppresses Yang, and Siwu Tang assists Yin. However, Zhike San is slightly cold; taking it alone might cause fetal coldness and abdominal pain. By combining it with Neibu Wan, Yang will not become too strong, and Yin will not become too weak. This harmonization of Yin and Yang benefits the offspring, a point previously unmentioned by predecessors.

**Yichan Huatai San (Easy Delivery Slippery Fetus Powder)**: Its medicinal properties are slippery and promote urination.
Administration: Take Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed) powder mixed with wine, one fangcun bi (a measure equivalent to a square inch spoonful). For those who cannot drink alcohol, mix with water.

The *Classic of Poetry* states: "Gathering Euphorbia lathyris allows women to joyfully bear children." Lu Ji's annotation explains: "This is used to treat difficult labor in women."

**Shenqin Wan (Divine Sleep Pill)**: Makes the fetus slender, slippery, and easy to deliver. Take it in the month before delivery; it is extremely effective. This prescription originated from Vice Prefect Shi of Qizhou and was transmitted by Grand Attendant Xu of Qizhou.
Ingredients and Dosages: Tongming Ruxiang (Frankincense) (separately ground, 0.5 liang), Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit) (1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Mix with refined honey to form pills the size of wet wax tree seeds. Swallow 30 pills with warm wine on an empty stomach. Can only be taken after the ninth month of pregnancy. The *Cui Shi Fang* names this Meisheng Wan, using only 2.5 qian of Ruxiang, made into pills with wine paste.

**Yubai Pi San (Elm Bark Powder)**: Treats pregnancy, promoting slippery fetus and easy delivery.
Ingredients and Dosages: Yubai Pi (Ulmus Cortex) (2 liang), Gancao (Licorice Root) (2 liang), Kuizi (Abelmoschus Manihot Seed) (1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into coarse powder. Take 2 qian per dose, add one zhan of water, decoct until reduced to 0.7 zhan, remove dregs, and take warm. Another version without Elm Bark is named Kuizi San. It is mainly used for conditioning in the ninth month of pregnancy, approaching delivery.

**Dietary Therapy**: One whole pig stomach. Cook thoroughly with scallions and five spices according to method. Eat until finished. If not finished, eat again until consumed. Do not give to others, or it will be ineffective.

**Baoqi Yin (Qi-Preserving Decoction)**: Calms the fetus, regulates Qi, promotes appetite, makes the fetus slender, and facilitates delivery. If improper living conditions lead to accidental falls, causing fetal movement, fetal pain, or threatened miscarriage with bleeding, concurrently take Foshe San (see Major Principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology), Shenqin Wan, and Zhike San (all see above). These three prescriptions are highly suitable for regular consumption in the month before delivery.
Ingredients and Dosages: Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma) (4 liang), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome) (2 liang), Suosharen (Amomum Fructus) (1 liang), Fencao (Licorice Root) (1.25 liang), Yizhiren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit), Ziye (Perilla Leaf) (0.5 liang each), Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) (0.4 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Take 2 qian mixed with plain boiled water.

**Wuyou San (Carefree Powder)**: Treats pregnancies in wealthy individuals who are accustomed to rich and sweet foods, experience emotional instability, have irregular eating habits, lie down immediately after full meals, resulting in thick and heavy fetal membranes, firm anchoring, and difficult movement, leading to difficult labor at term. Taking Wuyou San in the month before delivery facilitates birth.
Ingredients and Dosages: Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Baishaoyao (White Peony Root), Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit), Ruxiang (Frankincense) (3 qian each), Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), Gancao (Licorice Root), Xueyu (Hair Ash, mixed with pig heart blood) (1.5 qian each).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, decoct with water, take twice daily.

Zhu Danxi said: Difficult births often occur in people who are depressed and idle, specifically in families raised in luxury. They are rarely seen in poor and hardworking families. Ancient medical texts only discuss the theory of Shoutai Yin (Slimming Fetus Decoction), and its prescription was created for Princess Huyang, which is indeed not the ultimate truth. Why? Because I have seen people use this prescription, yet they still experience difficult labor. My cousin suffered greatly from difficult labor; later, whenever she became pregnant, she would induce abortion out of fear, which deeply pitied me. Observing her physique, she was diligent in needlework. After pondering for ten days, I suddenly realized: "This situation is exactly opposite to that of Princess Huyang." Those with luxurious lifestyles must have robust Qi; consuming their excess Qi brings balance, hence easy delivery. Now, seeing her obese physique indicates Qi deficiency, and prolonged sitting indicates stagnant Qi circulation, meaning her Qi is even weaker. The fetus in the womb relies on the mother's Qi for movement; therefore, we should tonify the mother's Qi so the fetus becomes strong and delivers easily. She came to report when pregnant for five to six months. I took the Zisu Yin (Perilla Decoction) from *Daquan Fang* (Complete Prescriptions), added Qi-tonifying herbs, and administered dozens of doses. She subsequently gave birth to a healthy boy with great joy. Later, I adjusted this prescription based on the mother's physique, temperament, and seasonal changes, achieving consistent success. Thus, I named this prescription Dasheng San.

**Suotai Yin (Fetus-Shrinking Decoction)** (Also known as Dasheng San).
Ingredients and Dosages: Dafupi (Areca Peel) (3 qian), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Zisu Jingye (Perilla Stem and Leaf) (5 fen each), Baishao (White Peony Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Guishenwei (Angelica Sinensis Root Tip) (1 qian each), Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried) (2 qian), Huangyangshunao (Buxus Seed Oil/Extract) (7 units), optionally add Zhike (Bitter Orange Fruit), Suosharen (Amomum Fructus), Qingcong (Green Onion) (5 leaves).
Preparation and Administration: Prepare as one dose. Swallow with Yimu Wan (Motherwort Pill). Obtaining twenty doses before term facilitates delivery, leaving the postpartum period free of illness.

Commentary: Danxi stated: Difficult labor and retained dead fetus are diseases of Qi and Blood stagnation.
Generally, this formula tonifies the Middle Jiao and removes stagnation. Add Chuanxiong in Spring. Double Renshen and Baizhu for Qi deficiency. Double Xiangfu and Chenpi for Qi excess. Add Danggui and Dihuang for Blood deficiency. Double Zisu for robust constitution. Add Huanglian for irritability. Add Huangqin for heat urgency. Add Huashi (Talcum) and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) for damp-phlegm. Add Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) for food stagnation. Add Huangyangnao for postprandial hunger. Add Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), Guirou (Cinnamon Bark), and Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) for abdominal pain. Do not use Huangqin in Winter.

**Heishen Wan (Black Divine Pill)** (Also called Cuisheng Wan [Urging Birth Pill] or Yimu Wan [Motherwort Pill]). Make pills using Motherwort (Yimucao) powder mixed with rice porridge. Treats women near term; take three times daily, delivered with Suosharen Yin. It promotes labor and easy delivery. Postpartum use generates new blood and eliminates old blood; take with plain boiled water. For deficiency, take with decoction of Baizhu, Renshen, and Chenpi.