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Pregnancy



Pregnancy is the successful union of the Sperm from man with the Egg (ovum) of women. Various early signs of pregnancy were long noted including swelling of the breast, lack of menstruation, and nausea or vomiting in the morning.

There are a number of mild conditions which typically affect women during Pregnancy, including Morning Sickness, Poor Appetite, Weakness, and Fluid Retention. These, if mild, are generally considered normal. Medicines may be used as given below.

More severe conditions during Pregnancy, such as Bleeding, Fever or an excessively active Fetus may be treated with medicines under Threatened Miscarriage. 


Signs of the Sex of the Child
Various signs were viewed as telling the Sex of the unborn baby:

"If the veins of the foot of a pregnant woman are red, she will give birth
to a boy; if they are black, it will be a girl. If her right breast is enlarged, it
will be a boy; if the left is enlarged, then a girl. If the nipples of her breasts
are red, it will be a boy; if they are black, then a girl. If milk flows from her
right breast, it will be a boy; from the left, a girl". (Rhazes)

Signs of the Sex of the Child

SIGN
Complexion
Breast
Milk

Eye
Pulse
Walking
Abdomen


Mothers Health
Mothers Action
Mothers Craving
Sickness or Accident

MALE CHILD
better color
right is bigger; lactates first
-cast into water sinks to bottom
-Baked with flour stays firm & dense
Right is bigger; more dominant
Right is bigger, fuller, thicker
sets off with her right foot first
-Right side is bigger and more pointed
-sits above the navel

better health, less problems
quicker, more nimble
Meat, Hot food, cooked food
If a Male child, she will tend to retain the child even if she has a great sickness or trauma 
FEMALE 
more pale, heavy

left is bigger; lactates first
-cast into water it disperses

Left is bigger; more dominant
Left is bigger
sets off with her left foot first
-abdomen more flat
-Left side is more prominent
-sits lower, below the navel
health not as good, more problems
more docile and lethargic
Dairy, cold food
More prone to miscarriage after sickness or trauma

The above signs are compiled from a number of sources, mostly Western. These signs were generally noted not to be definitive by themself, but when several signs clearly point to the sex of the child, it is usually correct.

It is interesting that the strength of the pulse on either left or right side were used to determine the sex of the child in both West and TCM.

See also
Fertility
Threatened Miscarriage


Western Tradition

General Medicines for use During Pregnancy
Syrup of Quince with Spices (Nicholas)
Electuary of Pearl (Avicenna)
Aromatic Rose Compound (Aromaticum Rosatum)
New Rose Powder (Rosata Novella) (Nicholas)
Powder to Strengthen in Pregnancy

Morning Sickness
Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum)
Decoction for Morning Sickness (Ayurveda)

Poor Appetite During Pregnancy
Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum)
Powder for Pica


1. Fresh Ginger, Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), make an infusion
2. Ginger, Long Pepper, Cumin Celery seed (equal parts) (Ayurveda)

Weakness during Pregnancy
1. Eggs have long been viewed as a great tonic during pregnancy.

Syrup of Quince with Spices (Nicholas)
Powder to Ascertain if Pregnant (Gabelhover)
Electuary of Pearl (Avicenna)
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Mesue)
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum)

Aromatic Rose Compound (Aromaticum Rosatum)
New Rose Powder (Rosata Novella) (Nicholas)
Powder to Strengthen in Pregnancy


Edema During Pregnancy
Powder of Cinnamon Compound (Mesue)
Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas)

Pregnancy Test
Powder to Ascertain if Pregnant (Gabelhover)







TCM Classification

Morning Sickness

Simples
Fresh Ginger
Perilla leaf, Zi Su Ye

Stomach Cold
slight morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, vomits watery liquid, tired, feels the cold, poor appetite.
Li Zhong Wan
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Liver Qi Stagnation

morning sickness, retching, belching, vomiting of sour liquid, abdominal distension, melancholic, depression, irritability.
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang

Stomach Heat
morning sickness that may persist, beyond the first three months, vomiting of food soon after eating, thirst, bleeding gums.
Yu Nu Jian

Phlegm Obstruction
morning sickness, profuse vomiting, occasional vomiting, occasional vomiting of clear fluids, with mucus, tight and heavy in the chest, dizziness.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang

Stomach Yin Deficiency
morning sickness, slight nausea, dry mouth, thirst, poor appetite, dry skin.
Mai Men Dong Tang

--------------------------------
Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy


Stomach Cold
dull abdominal pain that improves with heat, feeling of cold, cold limbs, dull complexion, nausea
Li Zhong Wan
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Qi Stagnation

mild abdominal pain, abdominal and hypochondriac pain and distension, irritable, tender breasts, belching, poor appetite.
Xiao Yao San

Blood Deficiency
mild abdominal pain, improves with massage, dull or pale complexion, feels the cold, dizziness, blurred vision, history of scanty periods, insomnia, low pulse
Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Tai Shan Pan Shi San

Special Formulas



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