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Once delivery is complete, regardless of whether the infant is male or female, one must fear that excessive speech may dissipate Qi (vital energy), or that feelings of love and hate may strain the Shen (spirit). Great joy and great anger are most taboo; joy causes Qi to scatter, potentially leading to red sweat (hematohidrosis); anger causes Qi to rebel upward, potentially forming Zheng Jia (abdominal masses). One should not live alone, lest it induce empty fright; one should not scrape the tongue coating, lest it damage Heart Qi. One should not brush teeth, lest it cause blood to rebel upward. One should not comb hair frequently, lest it cause scalp pain. Only after Qi and Blood have returned to equilibrium may one attend to affairs. Violating these taboos when symptoms are as slight as the tip of an autumn feather can result in illness as heavy as a mountain range.

Immediately after childbirth, beef, mutton, pork, chicken, goose, duck meat, eggs, pig trotters, pig kidneys, mung beans, cold jelly noodles, buckwheat, wheat products, and similar items—all foods that stagnate Qi, are tough and difficult to digest, or are raw, cold, greasy, and slippery—should not be eaten. It is feared that the Spleen and Stomach Qi will be deficient postpartum, making transformation and transportation difficult, thereby easily causing internal injury.

If childbirth occurs during the hot summer months, one must absolutely avoid sleeping or lying in the wind. It is most taboo to seek coolness by using fans or washing feet and bathing. Even in peak summer, cold water should not be used to wash hands and feet. If stasis is removed, righteous Qi will also collapse; if diarrhea is stopped, stasis will remain knotted and unexcreted. Can one not be cautious? The treatment method is described in the section on Diarrhea later.

If childbirth occurs during winter months, thick cotton should be used to protect the abdomen. Even in summer, a cloth wrap should be used to prevent the Jueyin (Liver) channel from being invaded by cold.

If one does not curse others, avoids excessive labor, and abstains from sexual desire for one hundred days postpartum, one will remain disease-free throughout life and bear many children. If intercourse occurs before the hundred days are up, deficiency, emaciation, and myriad diseases will arise from this point. Symptoms such as coldness below the umbilicus and soreness/pain in the hands, feet, waist, and legs will inevitably occur. This condition is named Ru Lao (Postpartum Consumptive Disease), which is extremely difficult to treat.

After childbirth, do not use Sichuan pepper (Zhuo), ginger (Jiang), mugwort (Ai), or alcohol. Although heat allows blood clots to circulate freely, fresh blood will become unsettled. Even Sharen Tang (Amomum Decoction) can disturb blood and is therefore included in the contraindications.

Postpartum milk is formed from Qi and Blood. Salty foods should not be consumed, as saltiness can stop bleeding, resulting in no milk production, and it may trigger coughs that are difficult to cure.

Postpartum care varies due to different geographical conditions in the north and south. In the Jiangnan region, it is customary to eat eggs immediately after childbirth. Despite explanations of the risks and benefits, this practice has become entrenched without doubt or fear, and many women remain perfectly healthy. I am forced to follow local customs, allowing them to open the eggshells and boil them plainly for consumption, which still possesses the merit of nourishing the Stomach and resolving phlegm.