典藏书目

When the Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) pulse beats vigorously, one knows there is a pregnancy; relying on the distinction between the Yin pulse at the Chi position and the Yang pulse at the Cun position. If the pulse beats vigorously but is not slippery, it indicates a three-month pregnancy; if it beats vigorously and is slippery, it indicates a five-month pregnancy with formed fetus.
[Note] A vigorous beating of the Shao Yin Kidney meridian pulse is the pulse of pregnancy. One should rely on the Yin pulses at both Chi positions beating firmly against the finger, while the Yang pulses at both Cun positions do not beat firmly against the finger and are distinct from the Chi pulses; this is undoubtedly the pulse of pregnancy. The case where the pulse beats firmly but is not slippery indicates a three-month pregnancy; the case where it beats firmly and is slippery indicates a five-month pregnancy.

An abdomen that is small above and large below, shaped like a winnowing basket, indicates a female fetus; an abdomen that is upright, round, and high, shaped like a cauldron, indicates a male fetus; rapid pulse at the right hand indicates a female fetus, rapid pulse at the left hand indicates a male fetus; this is due to fetal Qi gathering in Yin or Yang.
[Note] "Small above and large below" resembles the shape of a winnowing basket because the female fetus faces the mother's abdomen, with its feet and knees pressing against the abdominal wall, thus creating this shape. "Upright, round, and high" resembles the shape of a cauldron because the male fetus faces the mother's back, with its spine pressing against the abdominal wall, thus creating this shape. The right hand belongs to Yin; a rapid pulse indicates a female fetus. The left hand belongs to Yang; a rapid pulse indicates a male fetus. Therefore, when fetal Qi gathers in Yin, the right pulse is strong indicating a female fetus; when it gathers in Yang, the left pulse is strong indicating a male fetus.

If it is difficult to distinguish pregnancy from disease after conception, one must examine the breasts; after five months of pregnancy, the breasts will rise. How does one know the mother and child are auspicious? Even if the body has disease, as long as the pulse is harmonious, it is auspicious.
[Note] When a woman's menstruation stops and it is unclear whether it is pregnancy or disease, after five months of pregnancy, one distinguishes by observing the pregnant woman's breasts. If the breasts rise and enlarge with milk present, it is pregnancy; if the breasts do not enlarge and there is no milk, it is disease. For any disease occurring in a pregnant woman, the verification can be known. How does one know the mother and child are both auspicious? Only by examining that the pulse image is harmonious; then even if there is disease, one knows it is all auspicious and without worry.

The theory of nourishing the fetus according to specific meridians is unreliable. The theory of exclusive nourishment by specific meridians is not canonical. Before the form begins to differentiate, everything is complete; the Way of Yin and Yang gradually differentiates into form.
[Note] Chao Yuanfang stated: In the first month of pregnancy, named Embryo, it is nourished by the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; in the second month, named Beginning Paste, it is nourished by the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; in the third month, named Beginning Fetus, it is nourished by the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian; at this time, blood does not circulate freely, and the image begins to transform; in the fourth month, it begins to receive Water Essence to form blood vessels, nourished by the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian; in the fifth month, it begins to receive Fire Essence to form Qi, nourished by the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; in the sixth month, it begins to receive Metal Essence to form sinews, nourished by the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; in the seventh month, it begins to receive Wood Essence to form bones, nourished by the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian; in the eighth month, it begins to receive Earth Essence to form skin and flesh, nourished by the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; in the ninth month, it begins to receive Stone Essence to form hair, nourished by the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; in the tenth month, the Five Zang Organs, Six Fu Organs, joints, and Human Spirit are all complete.
Others who extrapolate Chao Yuanfang's theory of fetal nourishment claim that the commands of the four seasons must begin in Spring; therefore, during the first and second months, it is the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyang Wood meridians; during the third and fourth months, it is the Hand Jueyin and Hand Shaoyang Fire meridians; during the fifth and sixth months, it is the Foot Taiyin and Foot Yangming Earth meridians; during the seventh and eighth months, it is the Hand Taiyin and Hand Yangming Metal meridians; during the ninth and tenth months, it is the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Taiyang Water meridians. Only the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang two meridians have no exclusive nourishment function, because the Ruler Organ (Heart) acts through non-action. This theory is even less canonical. When man and woman join, essence and blood gather to form the embryo; this is the beginning of the pregnant form. Although the body and organs have not yet differentiated, their principles are all present. It is like Taiji being whole and undifferentiated, encompassing all phenomena, while the single Qi of Yin and Yang swirls, gradually transforming and generating; the forms of mother and child separate naturally, just like plants maturing, shell shedding, and stem falling.