Treatment for dystocia in ancient China

Abstract

Treatment for dystocia in ancient China includes delivery taboo, delivery promotion decoction and midwifery methods. Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, delivery was more like a rite. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, doctors began to understand dystocia from the physical condition, delivery environment and psychological factors, and the delivery taboo was rejected. After that period, the delivery taboo became a folk custom and was separated from the field of medicine. The herbs for delivery promotion decoctions usually used the principle of regulating the blood and removing stasis and were of slippery character during and before the Tang dynasty. In the Song dynasty promotion decoction was enlarged. In later ages some doctors put forward that emphasis should be on conformity to nature and nursing, not dependence on promotion drugs. Before and during the Tang dynasty, acupuncture and salt smearing had been key methods for abnormal fetal position and there were also case recordings. In the Northern Song dynasty, these two methods were no longer used and the midwife's skill was emphasized. With more and more focus on the midwife's skill, some male doctors depended on midwives and some criticism of midwives also increased. The book Dashengbian reflected maximum distrust of midwives.