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Generally, childbirth in women is the creation of heaven and earth, following natural laws. There is no need for panic or fear, nor should one be impatient to sit on the birthing stool. Enduring pain is the primary principle. When the fetus reaches full term (ten months), its movements often cause "trial pains" (false labor contractions), which are not true labor. In such cases, it is appropriate to take Baotai Wuyou San (Safety During Pregnancy Powder) for one or two doses. Many pregnancies are stabilized by this medicine, with delivery occurring ten days or half a month later. One must not call the midwife immediately upon feeling slight abdominal pain. Such individuals are often extremely impatient; if waited upon for half a day, they may intervene prematurely. This can lead to ruptured amniotic sacs and premature rupture of membranes, causing many mishaps. If the fetus has not turned into the correct position and the mother exerts force too early due to impatience, it often results in malpresentations such as breech or transverse lie, damaging the uterus and causing serious harm. One should wait until the melon is ripe and the stem falls naturally. Just as children of noble families have auspicious times for birth, why interfere with human effort? The key is to endure pain patiently. If able to eat, consume congee for strength; if able to lie down, rest quietly to nourish the spirit. Maintain upright postures while sitting, sleeping, and standing to facilitate fetal rotation. Do not bend the waist or massage due to abdominal pain. The midwife's role is limited to assisting during the actual expulsion, supporting the perineum, and tying the umbilical cord—hence the term "receiving birth." They have no power over the fetus within the womb. It is better to summon the midwife early but instruct her to sit at a distance and wait, without touching or examining. The room should be quiet, not noisy. Bystanders should not whisper to avoid alarming the parturient. Few people should be present; only one or two family members should assist. In summer heat, excessive people increase heat, risking heatstroke for the mother. In winter cold, a fire basin should be placed in the room to prevent chilling. True labor begins when lower back and abdominal pains become regular and intense, resembling the urge to defecate or urinate. At this time, sit on the birthing basin, have a strong woman support your back from behind, and push gently; the baby will emerge. If the midwife arrives late, check if amniotic fluid and blood are present. If the fetus is aligned and unobstructed, administer Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) to invigorate blood and aid the fetus. If there is failure of symphysis pubis separation (Jiaogu Bukai), administer Jiawei Guixiong Tang (Modified Angelica and Chuanxiong Decoction). If excessive loss of fluids and blood causes dryness in the uterus, administer Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) immediately to facilitate delivery. These medicines should be prepared in advance; do not recklessly use other催产 (inducing) drugs. Multiparous women often have wider pelvic floors, allowing easier fetal rotation, resulting in immediate delivery after slight pain without difficulty. This is due to daily mild exertion and natural ripening, posing no difficulty. This description applies generally to primiparas. After delivery, gender is irrelevant. Anxiety over expecting a son may lead to anger if a daughter is born; anger predisposes to postpartum diseases. Administer Ginseng Decoction during labor; for the poor, Longan Decoction is suitable. Avoid moving the patient. After drinking the decoction, gently help her to bed. Use fresh cotton padding for pillows; avoid lying with the head low to prevent retention of lochia. Serve warm congee afterward. Have an experienced woman accompany her at night and during the day, as postpartum women are emotionally vulnerable and easily frightened. Keep the room quiet for sleep and spirit nourishment; forbid visitors. On the next day, administer Shenghua Tang (Transforming the Remains Decoction) for one or two doses to eliminate stasis and generate new blood, preventing postpartum illness. Avoid wind, speak little, and avoid anger. Eat light diet: rice soaked in clear congee. After seven days, eat bland dried fish. After ten days, eat well-cooked old hen. After twenty days, eat ham or stewed pig stomach. Only after one full month (Yuezi period) should fresh meat be consumed. For three to five days, do not comb hair; for washing face, have someone wipe with a towel wrapped around hands. Avoid strenuous activity to prevent Rulao (postpartum consumptive disease). With such careful care, one will suffer few illnesses throughout life. If postpartum complications arise, the following formulas are listed for specific etiologies. Do not err. Although previous obstetric texts are abundant, they are often too complex and hard to summarize. I have selected the essential, simple, and effective ones, pairing diseases with formulas for clarity.

Baotai Wuyou San (Safety During Pregnancy Powder)
Pregnant women should take one or two doses in the eighth or ninth month, and two or three doses near term. Even if term is reached with slight abdominal discomfort, taking this powder facilitates delivery and prevents postpartum sequelae. If labor does not start promptly, taking it brings peace. It is considered an ancient immortal formula.
Sheng Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.5 qian) Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1.5 qian) Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 0.8 qian) Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 0.8 qian, wine-fried) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 0.5 qian) Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, ginger-juice fried) Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, bran-fried) Aye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium, each 0.5 qian) Dafupi (Arecae Pericarpium, 0.5 qian, added by author) Jingjie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica, 0.6 qian) Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen, 1.5 qian) Chuanbeimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, 1 qian)
Thirteen ingredients, plus two slices of old ginger, decocted in water and taken orally.
This formula employs the method of "supporting/expanding" (Cheng). Danggui and Baishao nourish and invigorate blood; Houpo removes blood stasis. They expand the vessels to prevent lochia obstruction. Qianghuo and Jingjie unblock the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridians, providing posterior support. As the Taiyang meridian is the longest, regulating it regulates all meridians. Zhike disperses qi stagnation, providing anterior support to ensure fetal qi is contained without obstruction. Aye warms the uterus, stimulating uterine motility for fetal movement. Beimu and Tusizi lubricate the fetus and smooth qi, providing holistic support to enhance natural vitality. Huangqi supports Yuanqi (Original Qi); robust Yuanqi ensures strong fetal movement. Ginger clears the mind, removes turbidity, dispels cold, stops vomiting, thus supporting Zhengqi (Upright Qi) and harmonizing Stomach Qi. Gancao harmonizes all herbs, ensuring balance and preserving the efficacy of the "supporting" method. (Commentary by Xu)

Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder)
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 4 qian) Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 1.2 qian)
Decoct in water, take with wine.
For inducing labor, no formula is superior. Generally, if amniotic fluid has not broken, use Baotai Wuyou San. If membranes have ruptured or labor is delayed, use Foshou San. If excessive blood loss risks drying up the blood, making fetal rotation difficult, use Bazhen Tang to greatly tonify Qi and Blood to sustain life, ensuring safety.

Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction)
Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix, 1 qian) Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 qian, soil-fried) Fuling (Poria, 1 qian) Zhi Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 0.3 qian) Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 3 qian) Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 5 qian) Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1 qian) Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 1 qian)
Add ginger and jujube, decoct in water and take. Alternatively, add Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Xiangru (Olibanum, 0.5 qian), Yimucao (Leonuri Herba, 2 qian). In winter cold, add Paojiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum, 1 qian). For vomiting, add Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Sharen (Amomi Fructus). For fetal pressure upward, add Huainiuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 3 qian).

Jiawei Guixiong Tang (Modified Angelica and Chuanxiong Decoction - Effective for Failure of Symphysis Pubis Separation)
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 5 qian) Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 2 qian, halve for deficient constitution) Zi Beiguiban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum, 3 qian, or calcined)
Alternatively, use Renfa (Human Hair, one handful, treated with child's urine and burned to ash). Decoct in water and take. The symphysis pubis will separate shortly after ingestion.
This formula is rarely used. Failure of symphysis pubis separation may be due to skeletal rigidity or blood deficiency failing to reach the area. Midwives may apply talcum powder mixed with sesame oil into the vagina or gently separate with fingers. In winter cold-induced cases, steam with hot water in a basin; warmth resolves it. Prompt treatment is necessary to avoid fetal injury.