凡有妇人即有生育，此造化自然之理，古今之常事。而临产者每抱忧疑，皆由未明此理
之故
。盖造化原不令人难生，人多不晓调摄，因而难生；造化原不令人逆生，人多慌忙逼迫，因
而逆生。难逆两端，关系二命，倘平时不知讲求，则临产必致误事。至稳婆不可不用，亦不
可专意听信倚靠，缘彼无书传，无师授，此理全然不知，多执己见，胡做乱为，误人性命。
凡为夫君者，宜平时家中讲谈，令妇人习闻，有孕知调摄，临产有主张，不惧怕，不早用力
，自无难产逆生之害。以受胎后论，即不能知古人胎教，凡宜禁忌者，亦当省悟。以临产时
论，胎至十月，形完气壮，手足必动，子动则母必腹痛，痛急则胞衣必破，子自出胞衣而来
，苟不甚耐顺时，见其腹痛半日、一日不产，即为难生，不知自胞衣未破，子未出胞衣，倘
用药用符，催其速生，一催之间，多致误事。岂知天地生物，胎卵蠢动，皆自生养，何尝用
药用符。故临产切不可慌张，即三五日不产，亦不妨，须要忍痛安心，任其自然分娩。
受胎后，即宜用布一幅，阔六七寸，长短视人肥瘦，约缚二道，横束腰间，直至临盆方
解去
。若是试痛，仍不宜解，此有二妙∶胎未长成，得此则腰膂有力，些须闪挫，不致动胎，又
能常令腹中窄狭，及到解开，则腹中乍宽，转身容易。
胎后睡时，须要两边换睡，不可尽在一边，要使小儿左右利便，手足惯熟，则产时中道
而出不难矣。
孕后饮食宜淡泊，不宜肥浓，不宜重浊。宜甘平，不宜辛热。青蔬白饭，亦能养人。若
在贫
家，颇而不乏，但富贵之家，平日甘肥餍足，抑令崇俭，势所不堪，酌乎其中，胪列如下∶
宜食诸物∶肚、肺、鸡、鸭、鲞、海参、腐皮、麻油、白菜、菠菱、笋、莲子、熟藕、
山药
、芡实。诸物总要洁治，多用清汤，吹去浮油，饮之最佳。（俱用白煎，忌用油煎。）此多为
膏粱之人言耳。若藜藿之腹，正宜得肥甘而润之，何淡泊之有?但六七个月后，腐皮麻油二
味最佳，不妨日日食之。麻油解毒，腐皮滑胎，且清且补，贫富皆宜，允为上品，积食一二
百张，则首生如达矣。或以麻油拌食更妙，不宜熬熟。
忌食诸物∶椒、姜、煎炒、野味、猪肝、血、犬肉、蟹、黑鱼。
凡是妇女都有生育能力，这是大自然造化的常理，也是古今普遍的现象。然而临产时人们常常怀抱忧虑和怀疑，都是因为没有明白这个道理的缘故。
大概造化原本并不让人难产，只是人们不懂得调养摄生，所以才导致难产；造化原本并不让人胎位不正或产程逆乱，只是人们惊慌忙乱、强行逼迫，所以才导致逆生。难产和逆生这两端，关系到母子两条性命，如果平时不知道研究探讨，那么临产时必定会耽误事情。
至于稳婆（接生婆）不可不用，但也不可专门听信依赖她，因为她们没有书本传承，没有老师教导，完全不懂其中的道理，大多固执己见，胡乱作为，误人性命。
凡是做丈夫的，应该平时在家中讲解谈论，让妇人经常听闻，怀孕时知道调养摄生，临产时有主见，不害怕，不提前用力，自然就没有难产和逆生的危害。从受孕之后来说，即使不能做到古人所说的胎教，对于应当禁忌的事情，也应当醒悟。从临产时来说，胎儿到十月，形体完备、元气壮实，手脚一定会动，胎儿动则母亲必然腹痛，疼痛剧烈则胞衣（胎盘/羊膜）必然破裂，胎儿自然从胞衣中出来。如果不甚忍耐顺应时机，看到孕妇腹痛半天或一天还没生产，就认为是难产，却不知道此时胞衣未破，胎儿未出胞衣，如果使用药物或符咒催产，一催促之间，多会导致失误。哪里知道天地化生万物，无论是胎生、卵生还是蠕动生物，都是自然生长养育的，何曾使用药物或符咒？所以临产时切不可慌张，即使三五天没生产，也无妨，必须忍受疼痛、安心等待，任凭其自然分娩。
受孕之后，就应该用一块布，宽六七寸，长短根据人的胖瘦而定，大约缠绕两道，横向束在腰间，直到临盆时才解开。如果是试痛（假性宫缩），仍然不宜解开，这有两个妙处：胎儿尚未长成，得到这种束缚则腰脊有力，稍微闪挫，不至于动胎气，又能常令腹中狭窄，等到解开时，腹中突然变宽，转身容易。
怀孕后睡觉时，必须左右两边轮流睡，不可总是睡在一边，要使胎儿左右活动便利，手脚习惯熟练，那么生产时从中道出来就不难了。
怀孕后饮食宜清淡，不宜肥腻浓烈，不宜厚重浑浊。宜甘平之味，不宜辛热之物。青菜白饭，也能养人。如果在贫寒之家，虽然简朴但不缺乏营养，只是富贵人家，平日甘甜肥腻吃够了，若要让他们崇尚节俭，形势上难以承受，折中考虑，列举如下：
宜食各种食物：肚、肺、鸡、鸭、鲞（干鱼）、海参、腐皮（豆腐皮）、麻油、白菜、菠菜、笋、莲子、熟藕、山药、芡实。这些食物总要洁净处理，多用清汤，撇去浮油，饮用最佳。（全部用白水煎煮，忌用油煎。）这是多对膏粱之人（富贵饮食奢靡者）说的罢了。如果是粗茶淡饭的人，正适宜得到肥甘滋润，有什么清淡的呢？但怀孕六七个月后，腐皮和麻油两样最佳，不妨天天食用。麻油解毒，腐皮滑胎，既清补又滋补，贫富都适宜，确是上品，积累食用一二百张，则胎儿头部出生如通达顺畅矣。或者用麻油拌食更妙，不宜熬熟。
忌食各种食物：椒、姜、煎炒食品、野味、猪肝、血制品、犬肉、蟹、黑鱼。
Whenever there is a woman, there is the capacity for childbirth; this is the natural principle of creation and a common occurrence throughout ancient and modern times. However, those approaching labor often harbor worry and doubt, all due to a failure to understand this principle.
Creation does not intend for childbirth to be difficult; it is merely that people do not know how to regulate their lifestyle and care for themselves, thus leading to difficult labor. Creation does not intend for abnormal presentation or chaotic delivery; it is merely that people panic and rush, forcing the process, thus leading to abnormal delivery. Both difficult and abnormal deliveries concern two lives. If one does not study these matters in daily life, mistakes will inevitably occur at the time of labor.
While midwives (stable women) are indispensable, one should not rely on them exclusively or listen to them blindly. This is because they lack formal textual transmission and master instruction, knowing nothing of the underlying principles. They often adhere to their own views and act recklessly, endangering lives.
Husbands should discuss these matters at home beforehand so that their wives become familiar with them. When pregnant, women should know how to regulate their health; when laboring, they should have their own judgment, remain unafraid, and not exert force prematurely. In this way, the harm of difficult or abnormal delivery will naturally be avoided.
Regarding the period after conception, even if one cannot practice the ancient teachings of prenatal education, one must still be aware of necessary taboos. Regarding the time of labor, by the tenth month, the fetus's form is complete and qi is strong; its hands and feet will move. When the fetus moves, the mother necessarily experiences abdominal pain. When the pain becomes urgent, the amniotic sac (bao yi) will rupture, and the child will emerge naturally from the sac. If one does not endure patiently and follow the natural timing, seeing the mother in pain for half a day or a day without delivering might lead one to assume difficulty. However, one must realize that until the sac ruptures and the child exits, using drugs or talismans to induce rapid birth will likely cause errors. Does one not know that heaven and earth nurture all beings—whether viviparous, oviparous, or creeping creatures—through natural growth? Where is the use of drugs or talismans? Therefore, during labor, one must absolutely avoid panic. Even if labor lasts three to five days, it is no matter. One must endure the pain, keep calm, and allow nature to take its course in delivering the baby.
After conception, a piece of cloth, six or seven cun wide, with length adjusted to the person's build, should be wrapped around the waist about twice. It should be bound horizontally until the time of labor, when it is removed. If false labor pains occur, it should still not be removed. This has two benefits: while the fetus is not yet fully formed, this binding strengthens the lower back and spine, preventing miscarriage from minor jolts; furthermore, it keeps the abdomen somewhat constricted. When finally removed, the abdomen suddenly expands, making it easier for the fetus to turn.
During pregnancy, sleep positions should alternate between left and right sides; one should not always sleep on one side. This ensures the fetus can move freely on both sides and becomes accustomed to moving its limbs, making it easier for the baby to exit through the center during delivery.
Diet during pregnancy should be bland, avoiding rich, greasy, heavy, turbid, pungent, or hot foods. Sweet and neutral flavors are preferred. Green vegetables and plain rice can also nourish the body. For poor families, simplicity without deficiency is acceptable. However, for wealthy families accustomed to rich and sweet foods, enforcing strict frugality may be unbearable. A moderate approach is recommended, as listed below:
Foods suitable for consumption: tripe, lungs, chicken, duck, dried fish (xiang), sea cucumber, tofu skin (fupi), sesame oil, Chinese cabbage, spinach, bamboo shoots, lotus seeds, cooked lotus root, yam, and euryale seed (qianshi). These ingredients must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared with clear broth, skimming off floating oil for best results. (All should be boiled in water; frying with oil is prohibited.) This advice is primarily for those accustomed to rich diets. For those used to coarse food, rich and sweet flavors are actually beneficial for moistening and nourishing, so why insist on blandness? However, after the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, tofu skin and sesame oil are excellent and can be consumed daily. Sesame oil detoxifies, and tofu skin facilitates smooth delivery; both are clearing and tonifying, suitable for both rich and poor, and are considered superior items. Consuming one or two hundred sheets may facilitate an easy delivery of the fetal head. Mixing sesame oil with food is even better; it should not be cooked thoroughly.
Foods to avoid: pepper, ginger, fried foods, game meat, pig liver, blood products, dog meat, crab, and black carp.