天地之大德曰。生生之德无往不在。要莫大于生人。夫胎产固生人之始也。是以名
之曰生。生也者。天地自然之理。如目视而耳听。手持而足行。至平至易不待勉强。而
无难者也。然今之世。往往以难产闻者。得无以人事之失。而陨其天耶。夫天岂以生
道杀人哉。必不然矣。因思人为至灵。何负于物。物之生也。莫或难之。故草木之甲以
时。凫KT 之出以日。岂复有导之者哉。自然而然。不待勉强。于人何独不然。有童子骨
哽于喉。百方不出。举室彷徨。一妪视之曰无异也。令静卧饲以浆糜。三日自出。而无
所苦。可以知其理矣。骨哽者人事也。尚可以天胜之。而况天道之常。与自然之极者
乎。事本易也。而自难之。事本常也。而或异之。无惑乎其然矣。自持此理消息行之。百
试之下无一失者。而多不用药。由此敝唇焦舌。以告同人。颇蒙相信。数年以来。一邑
之间。产难者盖寡矣。独惜一域不能遍及。兹漫述成帙。剞劂布之。夫岂能有补于生
之外哉。惟愿顺承天休。而毋以人事挠之。以各遂其生而已。
六字真言 一曰睡 二曰忍痛 三曰慢临盆
初觉腹痛。先要自家拿定主意。要晓得此是人生必然之理。极容易之事。不必惊慌。
但觉痛一阵不了。又痛一阵。一连五六阵。渐痛渐紧。此是要生。方可与人说知。以
便伺候。若痛得慢。则是试痛。只管安眠稳食。不可乱动。此处极要着意留心。乃是
第一关头。不可忽略。若将试痛。认作正生。则错到底矣。此时第一要忍痛为主。不问是试痛。
是正生。忍住痛。照常吃饭睡觉。痛得极熟。自然易生。且试痛与正生。亦要痛久。看其紧慢。
方辨得清。千万不可轻易临盆坐草。揉腰擦肚。至嘱至嘱。再站时宜稳站。坐时宜正坐。不可将身
左右摆扭。须知此处要自家作主。他人替不得。与自己性命相关。与别人毫无干涉。
到此时。必要养神惜力为主。能上床安睡。闭目养神最好。若不能睡。临时起来。或扶
人缓行几步。或扶桌站立片时。痛若稍缓。又上床睡。总以睡为第一妙法。但宜仰
睡使腹中宽舒。小儿易于转动。且大人睡下。小儿亦是睡下。转身更不费力。盖大
人宜惜力。小儿亦宜惜力。以待临时用之。切记切记。
无论迟早。切不可轻易临盆用力。切不可听稳婆说。孩儿头已在此。以致临盆早了。
误尽大事。此乃天地自然之理。若当其时。小儿自会钻出。何须着急。因恐小儿力
薄。其转身时用力已尽。及到产门。不能得出。或亦有之。宜稍用力一阵。助之则脱
然而下。盖此时瓜熟蒂落。气血两分。浑身骨节。一时俱开。水到渠成。不假勉强。及
至生下。即产母亦不知其所以然矣。
或曰。大便时亦须用力。如何生产不用力。不知大便呆物。必须人力。小儿自会转动。
必要待其自出。不但不必用力。正切忌用力。盖小儿端坐腹中。及至生时。垂头转
身向下。腹中窄狭。他人有力难助。要听其自家。慢慢转身到产门。头向下。脚向上。
倒悬而出。若小儿未曾转身。用力一逼。则脚先出。以为诧异。且赠之美名曰。脚踏
莲花生。或转身未定时。用力一逼。则横卧腹中。一手先出。又名之曰讨盐生。即或
转身向下。略不条直。用力略早。亦或左或右。偏顶腿骨而不得出。不知此等弊病。
皆是时候未到。妄自用力之故。奉劝世人。万万不可用力。然亦非全不用力。但当
用力。只有一盏茶时耳。其余皆不可乱动者也。即如大便。未到其时。纵用力亦不
能出。而况于人乎。
或问。何以知此一盏茶时。而用力乎。曰此时自是不同。若小儿果然逼到产门。则浑
身骨节疏解。胸前陷下。腰腹重坠异常。大小便一齐俱急。目中金花爆溅。真其时
矣。当于此时临盆。用力一阵。母子分张。何难之有。
或曰。小儿会钻出之说。到底未敢尽信。不知古人。曾言及否。曰古人立言。不过撮其
大要。安能事事而悉言之。只要后人体会耳。观瓜熟蒂落四字。即知小儿自会钻
出。观揠苗助长四字。即知将试痛。认作正生之弊矣。夫哺鸡日足。自能啄壳而出。
岂有催生之神药。稳婆之妙手乎。古人谓有迟至三四年而后生者。此是不肯钻
出耳。既自不肯钻出。谁能强之。自要钻出。谁能御之。
或曰。早一时。断乎不可动矣。不知迟了一时。或有妨否。曰不妨。若果当其时必无不
出之理。然或偶有不出者。则是小儿力尽。不能得出。宜令上床安睡。使小儿在腹
中亦安睡。歇力少刻。自然生矣。
或曰。倘或儿到产门。而大人睡下。岂不有碍。曰更好。盖小儿向下时。而大人坐立。则
小儿倒悬矣。岂能久待。今大人睡下。儿亦睡下。有何妨碍。又曰。倘或闷坏奈何。曰
他十个月不闷。今乃闷乎。
或问。忍痛过久。或亦不妙。曰最妙。从未闻妇人偷生而难产者。或谓有神护佑。非也。
总因胎起于私。怕人知觉。只得极力忍痛。痛到没奈何时。自脱然而出。其理甚明。
有何疑处。
或曰。不宜用力。已闻教矣。不知误用力。以致横生倒产。有法治之否。曰有。急令安睡。
用大剂加味芎归汤服之。将手足缓缓托入。再睡一夜。自然生矣。又曰。托之不入
奈何。曰若肯睡。再无托不入之理。若到此时。仍不肯睡。又或动手动脚。乱吃方药。
吾末如之何也矣。
天地最伟大的德行，就是生生不息的恩德，这种恩德无处不在。其中没有比生育人类更重要的了。因为胎产确实是生育人类的开始，所以称之为“生”。所谓“生”，是天地间自然的道理，就像眼睛看、耳朵听、手拿着、脚行走一样，极其平正简易，不需要勉强，也就没有什么困难的。然而当今社会，往往以难产闻名，难道不是因为人为的失误，而损害了天然的道吗？上天怎么会用生育之道来杀人呢？这肯定是不可能的。我想到人是最有灵性的生物，有什么亏欠于万物呢？万物的出生，并没有谁去阻碍它们。所以草木按时破壳而出，野鸭和小鸡按日子出壳，哪里还需要引导呢？完全是自然而然，不需要勉强。对于人为什么偏偏不是这样呢？有一个小孩骨头卡在喉咙里，用各种方法都出不来，全家惊慌失措。一位老妇人看了看说没什么异常，让他安静躺着，喂他喝米汤，三天后骨头自然排出，也没有造成痛苦。由此可以明白其中的道理了。骨头卡喉属于人为造成的障碍，尚且可以用天道（自然规律）来战胜它，何况是顺应天道、达到自然极致的生育过程呢？事情本来容易，却自己把它变难；事情本来正常，却故意让它变得怪异，难怪会这样了。只要秉持这个道理，斟酌情况去实行，百次尝试没有一次失利的，而且大多不用药。为此我费尽口舌，告诉同行们，颇受信任。几年以来，一个县之间，难产的案例大概很少了。只是可惜这一方之地不能遍及，于是随意整理成册，刻印出版。这难道能对生育本身有什么补充吗？只希望顺承上天的福佑，不要用人为的因素去干扰它，让每个人都能顺利诞生罢了。
六字真言：一曰睡，二曰忍痛，三曰慢临盆。
刚感觉到腹痛时，首先要自己拿定主意。要明白这是人生必然的道理，是极其容易的事情，不必惊慌。只觉得一阵痛接着一阵痛，一连五六阵，逐渐疼痛加剧、紧缩，这才是快要生了，才可以告诉别人，以便伺候。如果痛得缓慢，那就是试痛（假性宫缩），只管安心睡觉、安稳吃饭，不要乱动。这里极需要注意留心，这是第一道关口，不可忽略。如果把试痛当作正生（真正分娩），那就错到底了。这个时候最重要的是以忍痛为主。不管是试痛还是正生，忍住痛，照常吃饭睡觉。等到疼痛非常剧烈（熟）的时候，自然容易生产。而且试痛和正生，也要等痛的时间久了，观察其紧慢程度，才能分辨清楚。千万不可以轻易临盆坐草（准备分娩）、揉腰擦肚子。再三嘱咐。站立时要稳站，坐着时要正坐，不要把身体左右扭摆。要知道这里要自己作主，别人替不得。这与自己的性命相关，与别人毫无干涉。
到了这个时候，一定要以养神惜力为主。能上床安睡，闭目养神最好。如果不能睡，临时起来，或者扶着人缓行几步，或者扶着桌子站立片刻。疼痛如果稍微缓解，又上床睡。总之以睡觉为第一妙法。但适宜仰睡，使腹部宽舒，胎儿易于转动。而且大人睡下，胎儿也是睡下，转身更不费力。因为大人应该爱惜体力，胎儿也应该爱惜体力，以等待最后时刻使用。切记切记。
无论早晚，千万不可以轻易临盆用力。千万不可以听信稳婆（接生婆）说孩子头已经在这里，以致提前临盆。误了大事。这是天地自然的道理。如果到了时候，胎儿自然会钻出来，何必着急。因为担心胎儿力气薄弱，在转身时用力已尽，等到到达产门时，不能出来。或许也有这种情况。这时宜稍用力一阵，帮助一下，就会脱然而下。盖此时如同瓜熟蒂落，气血两分，浑身骨节一时都张开，水到渠成，不假勉强。等到生下之后，就连产母也不知道为什么会这样。
有人说：大便时也需要用力，为什么生产不用力？不知道大便中的废物，必须依靠人力。胎儿自己会转动，一定要等待它自己出来。不仅不必用力，正切忌用力。因为胎儿端正坐在腹中，等到要生时，垂头转身向下。腹中狭窄，别人有力也难以帮助。要听凭它自己慢慢转身到产门，头向下，脚向上，倒悬而出。如果胎儿还没有转身，就用力逼迫，那么脚先出来，人们以为诧异，还赠送美名叫做“脚踏莲花生”（足位分娩）。或者转身未定时，用力逼迫，则横卧在腹中，一只手先出来，又名之为“讨盐生”（肩位分娩）。即使或转身向下，略不直顺，用力略早，也可能左或右偏顶腿骨而不得出。不知道这些弊病，都是时候未到，妄自用力的缘故。奉劝世人，万万不可用力。然而也并非完全不用力。但当用力的时候，只有一盏茶的功夫而已。其余时间都不可乱动。就像大便一样，不到时候，纵然用力也不能出来，何况是人呢？
有人问：怎么知道这一盏茶的时候才用力呢？回答说：这个时候自然不同。如果胎儿真的逼到产门，则浑身骨节疏解，胸前陷下，腰腹重坠异常，大小便一齐俱急，眼中金花爆溅，这才是真正的时候。应当在这个时候临盆，用力一阵，母子分离，有什么难的？
有人说：关于胎儿会自己钻出来的说法，到底不敢完全相信。不知道古人是否曾提及？回答说：古人立言，不过是概括其大要，怎么能事事都详尽说明呢？只要后人体会罢了。看“瓜熟蒂落”四个字，就知道胎儿自己会钻出来。看“揠苗助长”四个字，就知道把试痛认作正生的弊端了。小鸡孵育期满，自己就能啄壳而出，哪里有催生之神药、稳婆之妙手呢？古人说有迟至三四年后才出生的，这是因为不肯钻出来罢了。既然自己不肯钻出来，谁能强迫它？既然自己要钻出来，谁能阻挡它？
有人说：早一个小时，绝对不可以动。不知道晚了一个小时，是否有妨碍？回答说：没有妨碍。如果确实到了时候，必定没有不出来的道理。然而偶尔有不出来的，那是胎儿力气耗尽，不能出来。宜令上床安睡，使胎儿在腹中也安睡，歇息片刻，自然就会生下来。
有人说：倘若胎儿已到产门，而大人睡下，岂不有碍？回答说：更好。因为胎儿向下时，如果大人坐立，则胎儿倒悬了，怎么能久待？现在大人睡下，胎儿也睡下，有什么妨碍？又说：倘若闷坏了怎么办？回答说：他十个月都不闷，现在反而闷吗？
有人问：忍痛过久，或许也不妙吧？回答说：最妙。从未听说妇人偷生（指因怕痛而挣扎导致难产）而难产的。有人说是有神灵护佑，不对。总因胎气起于私心，怕人知觉，只得极力忍痛。痛到没奈何时，自然脱然而出。其理甚明，有什么疑处？
有人说：不宜用力，已经听到教导了。不知道误用力，以致横生倒产，有法治之吗？回答说：有。急令安睡，用大剂量的加味芎归汤服用。将手脚缓缓托入原位，再睡一夜，自然就会生下来。又说：如果托不进去怎么办？回答说：如果肯睡，再无托不进去的道理。如果到了这个时候，仍不肯睡，又或动手动脚，乱吃方药，我就没有办法了。
The greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth is the virtue of generating life, which is present everywhere. Among all things, nothing is greater than giving birth to humans. Since pregnancy and childbirth are indeed the beginning of human generation, they are named "Sheng" (Birth/Life). "Sheng" refers to the natural principle of Heaven and Earth, just as eyes see, ears hear, hands hold, and feet walk. It is extremely level and easy, requiring no forcefulness, and thus encountering no difficulties. However, in today's world, difficult childbirth is often heard of. Is it not because human errors have destroyed this heavenly way? How could Heaven use the path of life to kill people? This must certainly not be the case. I reflect that humans are the most spiritual beings; what do they owe to other creatures? The birth of other creatures is never hindered. Therefore, plants and trees crack their shells at the proper time, and ducks and chickens hatch on the appointed day. Do they require any guidance? It is all natural, requiring no forcefulness. Why should humans be different? There was a child with a bone stuck in his throat; despite many methods, it would not come out, causing panic throughout the house. An old woman looked and said there was nothing abnormal. She instructed him to lie quietly and feed him rice gruel. After three days, the bone came out naturally, causing him no pain. From this, one can understand the principle. A bone stuck in the throat is a result of human action, yet it can still be overcome by nature. How much more so for the constant way of Heaven and the ultimate state of nature? The matter is originally easy, but people make it difficult; the matter is originally normal, but people make it strange. No wonder it happens this way. By holding onto this principle and practicing it with discretion, out of a hundred attempts, none failed, and medicines were mostly unnecessary. For this reason, I have worn out my lips and tongue advising my peers, who have trusted me greatly. Over several years, within one county, cases of difficult childbirth have become rare. I only regret that this region cannot be fully covered, so I casually compiled this into a book and had it printed. What benefit can this possibly add to birth itself? I only wish for everyone to follow the blessings of Heaven and not let human interference disrupt them, so that each may achieve their birth smoothly.
The Six-Character Mantra: First, Sleep; Second, Endure Pain; Third, Delay Delivery.
When abdominal pain is first felt, one must first settle one's mind. One must understand that this is an inevitable principle of life and an extremely easy matter, so there is no need to panic. If one feels one wave of pain following another, continuing for five or six waves, gradually becoming tighter and stronger, this indicates that birth is imminent. Only then should one inform others to prepare for assistance. If the pain is slow, it is merely "trial pain" (false labor). One should simply sleep soundly and eat steadily, without moving around. Here, great attention must be paid; this is the first critical juncture and must not be ignored. If trial pain is mistaken for true labor, the error will be complete. At this time, the primary goal is to endure pain. Whether it is trial pain or true labor, one should endure the pain, continue eating and sleeping as usual. When the pain becomes very intense ("ripe"), birth will naturally be easier. Furthermore, distinguishing between trial pain and true labor requires waiting for the pain to last long enough and observing its tightness and slowness. Under no circumstances should one hastily assume the delivery position, rub the waist, or wipe the belly. This is earnestly urged. When standing, stand steadily; when sitting, sit upright. Do not twist the body left and right. Understand that one must take charge here; others cannot do it for you. This concerns your own life and has no interference from others.
At this stage, nourishing the spirit and conserving strength is paramount. Sleeping in bed with closed eyes to nourish the spirit is best. If unable to sleep, get up temporarily, walk slowly while supported, or stand leaning against a table for a moment. If the pain eases slightly, return to bed to sleep. In summary, sleeping is the supreme method. One should sleep on the back to keep the abdomen relaxed, allowing the fetus to move easily. Moreover, when the mother sleeps, the fetus also sleeps, making turning less strenuous. The mother should conserve strength, and the fetus should also conserve strength, to be used at the final moment. Remember this well.
Regardless of whether it is early or late, under no circumstances should one exert effort prematurely. Do not listen to midwives saying the baby's head is already there, leading to premature pushing, which ruins everything. This is the natural law of Heaven and Earth. When the time is right, the baby will naturally push its way out; there is no need to rush. Perhaps fearing the baby lacks strength, if it uses up its energy while turning, it might not be able to exit the birth canal upon arrival. In such cases, a slight effort for one wave can help it emerge smoothly. At this moment, like a ripe melon falling from the vine, Qi and Blood separate, and all joints in the body open simultaneously. It happens naturally, like water filling a channel, without forcefulness. Even the mother does not know how it happened after the baby is born.
Some ask: "One exerts effort during defecation; why not during childbirth?" They do not realize that feces are dead matter requiring human effort. The fetus moves on its own and must be allowed to emerge naturally. Not only is effort unnecessary, but it is strictly forbidden. The fetus sits upright in the womb. When birth approaches, it lowers its head and turns downward. The abdomen is narrow, and external help is difficult. One must let it turn slowly toward the birth canal, head down, feet up, emerging upside down. If one forces effort before the fetus turns, the feet may emerge first, which people find surprising and mistakenly call "Stepping on Lotus Flowers" (breech presentation). If one forces effort before the turn is settled, the fetus may lie horizontally, with one hand emerging first, known as "Seeking Salt" (shoulder presentation). Even if turning downward, if not straight and effort is applied too early, it may lean left or right, getting stuck against the leg bones. These complications arise solely from exerting effort before the time is due. I advise everyone: absolutely do not exert effort. However, this does not mean zero effort. Effort is only needed for the duration of drinking a cup of tea. At other times, do not move randomly. Just as one cannot defecate before the time is right even with effort, so too with childbirth.
Someone asks: "How do we know when this 'cup of tea' period arrives to exert effort?" The answer is: This time is distinctly different. If the fetus truly reaches the birth canal, the joints loosen, the chest sinks, the lower abdomen and waist feel exceptionally heavy, the urge to urinate and defecate arises simultaneously, and sparks flash before the eyes. This is the true time. One should assume the delivery position and exert effort for one wave. Separating mother and child will then be effortless.
Some say: "I dare not fully believe the fetus will push itself out. Did the ancients mention this?" The answer is: Ancient texts summarize the main points and cannot detail every event; later generations must comprehend the principles. Observing "a ripe melon falls from the vine," one knows the fetus pushes itself out. Observing "pulling shoots to help them grow," one understands the harm of mistaking trial pain for true labor. A chick pecks its shell when incubation is complete. Are there magical drugs for induction or skilled hands for midwives? Ancients said some babies are born after three or four years; this is because they refuse to push out. If they refuse, who can force them? If they intend to push out, who can stop them?
Some ask: "Moving an hour early is definitely inadvisable. Is delaying an hour harmful?" The answer is: No harm. If the time is truly right, there is no reason it won't come out. Occasionally, if it doesn't come out, it is because the fetus has exhausted its strength. Let the mother sleep, allowing the fetus to rest in the womb. After resting briefly, it will naturally be born.
Some ask: "If the fetus is at the birth canal and the mother lies down, isn't that obstructive?" The answer is: It is better. If the fetus descends while the mother sits or stands, the fetus hangs upside down, which cannot be sustained. Now, if the mother lies down, the fetus also rests, causing no obstruction. Another says: "What if it causes suffocation?" The answer is: It wasn't suffocating for ten months; why would it now?
Someone asks: "Is enduring pain for too long inadvisable?" The answer is: It is most advisable. I have never heard of a woman suffering difficult childbirth due to 'stealing life' (struggling in fear). Some say it is divine protection, but this is incorrect. It is simply that the fetal qi originates from selfishness (fear of being perceived), forcing the woman to endure pain intensely. When pain becomes unbearable, the baby emerges smoothly. The logic is clear; what is there to doubt?
Some ask: "I have heard not to exert effort. But if excessive effort causes transverse or breech presentation, is there a cure?" The answer is: Yes. Immediately instruct her to sleep, administer a large dose of Jiawei Xionggui Tang (Modified Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction), and gently guide the limbs back into position. Sleep for another night, and birth will occur naturally. Another asks: "What if the limbs cannot be guided back?" The answer is: If she is willing to sleep, there is no case where they cannot be guided back. If at this point she still refuses to sleep, or moves her hands and feet wildly, or takes random prescriptions, I am helpless.