1. Dietary Nutrition
Pregnant women need sufficient nutrition to provide the necessary nutrients for the fetus. Ancient people advocated that in the early stages of pregnancy, one should "eat well-cooked food, prefer sour and delicious dishes, eat barley, and avoid pungent and spicy foods." In the middle stages of pregnancy, one should "eat rice and wheat, and have soup made from beef and lamb." In the later stages of pregnancy, one should "balance the five tastes and eat sweet foods." All of these indicate that pregnant women should pay attention to their diet, ensuring it is nutritious, as it is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby.
2. Nurturing the Mind and Spirit
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that during the first three months of pregnancy, the fetus is not yet fully formed and is susceptible to external influences. It is said that to have a beautiful and intelligent child, the mother should gaze at jade and maintain a calm and peaceful state of mind. It is advised to avoid grief, worries, excessive talking, and crying, as these can directly affect the growth and development of the baby. It is also recommended that pregnant women play musical instruments, cultivate a peaceful state of mind, control desires, and maintain cleanliness. Only through this can they give birth to healthy and long-lived children.
3. Balancing Work and Rest
Pregnant women should engage in light physical activities and avoid excessive fatigue and heavy physical labor. They should have sufficient rest and sleep. Overexertion can easily damage the fetus and lead to miscarriage or premature birth. Engaging in appropriate physical exercises can help promote blood circulation and benefit the development of the fetus and smooth delivery.
4. Regulating Warmth and Cold
During pregnancy, it is important to regulate the body's warmth and coldness. Ancient people believed that one should stay in a warm place, wear warm clothes, and keep the body well protected to prevent the occurrence of diseases during fetal development. It is said that excessive coldness causes pain, while excessive heat leads to withering and decline. Modern medical research has shown that pregnant women are more susceptible to viral infections if they experience discomfort in terms of warmth and coldness within the first three months of pregnancy. Viral infections during pregnancy can potentially cause congenital diseases, deformities, or stillbirths.
5. Moderating Sexual Activity
Ancient people advised pregnant women to stay in quiet places and to avoid sexual activity for men. This is to prevent damage to the kidney qi, instability of the Chong and Ren meridians, and miscarriage. Therefore, sexual activity should be avoided within the first three months of pregnancy or the last two months of pregnancy. Otherwise, it may lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
