Obstetrics and gynecology is another age-old specialty within traditional Chinese medicine. Although most if not all modern textbooks on herbal medicine and acupuncture caution against-though they do not expressly prohibit-treating women during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester), there is a long tradition of pregnancy management to enhance the health of the mother and ensure the healthy development of the newborn child. Special attention is paid to maintaining the psychological equanimity of the mother to protect the fetus from the untoward effects of negative emotions and mental shocks. This is sought primarily through regulation of diet, living habits, and environment and, secondarily, through the administration of massage, acupuncture, and medicinal herbs should problems arise. There are specific herbal formulas and acupuncture protocols for conditions such as morning sickness, restless fetus, generalized weakness, vaginal bleeding, emotional disturbance, and prevention and treatment of eclampsia and preeclampsia, as well as for facilitating delivery and managing postpartum recovery. As with infants and young children, pregnant women are considered to be very vulnerable and are, therefore, treated with extreme care and caution. Conversely, pregnancy is also considered to be an opportunity for correcting preexisting deficiencies and disorders because the woman is in an unusually receptive condition.
