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During the late stage of pregnancy (third stage), during childbirth, or after childbirth, sudden loss of consciousness, neck stiffness, clenched teeth, frothing at the mouth, and spasms in the limbs may occur. The spasms may stop momentarily, and the person may gradually regain consciousness, but the condition can recur after waking. This condition is called "eclampsia," also known as "eclampsia of pregnancy" or simply "eclampsia." It is also referred to as "convulsions," "syncope," "apoplexy," or "spasms and convulsions." In severe cases, frequent episodes may occur, and the person may remain unconscious, potentially leading to the death of both the mother and the fetus. However, before the onset of the condition, there are usually warning signs such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, chest tightness, and vomiting, which can aid in early diagnosis and prevention. This discussion focuses primarily on the warning signs of eclampsia.

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1. Liver Hyperactivity Due to Yin Deficiency︰In the late stage of pregnancy (third stage), symptoms such as frequent headaches, dizziness, head distension, blurred vision, nausea, palpitations, shortness of breath, numbness in the hands and limbs, and mild swelling of the face and lower limbs may indicate preeclampsia. During an episode, sudden fainting, convulsions, and frothing at the mouth may occur. The tongue appears red or deep red, and the pulse is wiry, forceful, and rapid. This condition is often caused by pre-existing kidney yin deficiency. As blood nourishes the fetus during pregnancy, yin fluids become even more depleted, leading to water failing to nourish wood (liver). As a result, the liver loses its nourishment, giving rise to ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang. This is invariably accompanied by a red or deep red tongue and a wiry, forceful, rapid pulse.
2. Spleen Deficiency and Liver Hyperactivity︰Pregnancy late stage [third stage], edema gradually worsens, scanty urine, chest tightness and nausea, poor appetite, accompanied by headache, distension in the head, dizziness, and other eclampsia precursors. During an attack, sudden collapse occurs, unconsciousness, and convulsions in the limbs. The tongue texture is pale and swollen, with thin or greasy coating, and the pulse is weak, wiry, and slippery. This is due to spleen deficiency failing to transport, leading to water-dampness retention, resulting in edema that stagnates in the meridians, obstructing the delivery of essence and blood. The spleen fails to disperse essence, and the liver lacks nourishment, leading to ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang. The clinical features are mainly characterized by headache, dizziness, distension in the head, and blurred vision. However, the accompanying symptoms vary. It must also include limb edema, chest tightness, and nausea. This is the key diagnostic point of this syndrome. For cases with yin deficiency and liver hyperactivity showing eclampsia precursors, the treatment should focus on nourishing yin and subduing yang, pacifying the liver and extinguishing wind, using the Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction. If the condition further progresses to convulsions or unconsciousness, it is eclampsia, and Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction can be modified by adding lotus plumule and Acorus to clear the heart and open the orifices. The following can also be selected: (1) Peaceful Palace Bovine Bezoar Pill, 2 pills daily, dissolved in cool boiled water, administered via nasal feeding or orally in 2-4 doses; (2) Purple Snow Bolus, 3 times daily, 1-3 grams each time, dissolved in cool boiled water, administered via nasal feeding or orally; (3) Supreme Treasured Pill, 2 pills daily, dissolved in cool boiled water, administered via nasal feeding or orally in 2-4 doses. For cases with spleen deficiency and liver hyperactivity showing eclampsia precursors, the treatment should focus on invigorating the spleen and draining dampness, pacifying the liver and subduing yang, using modified Antelope Horn Powder or Angelica and Peony Powder with antelope horn powder, Pueraria Root, and Chinese Taxillus Herb. If the condition is not controlled in time and convulsions and unconsciousness occur, it is eclampsia, and modified Antelope Horn Powder can be used by removing Pueraria Root and Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, and adding Styrax Pill, 1 pill twice daily, administered via nasal feeding.

The clinical differentiation of preeclampsia should first distinguish between yin deficiency with liver hyperactivity or spleen deficiency with liver hyperactivity. There are also a few patients who show no obvious premonitory signs but suddenly develop eclampsia. The treatment principles are as follows: for yin deficiency with liver hyperactivity, the focus is on nourishing blood and yin, with emphasis on the kidney; for spleen deficiency with liver hyperactivity, the focus is on invigorating the spleen and draining dampness, with emphasis on the spleen.

Pregnancy edema, preeclampsia, and eclampsia share an intrinsic connection in their disease mechanisms. For instance, spleen deficiency leads to the inability to transport water and dampness, resulting in swelling; this is followed by dampness in the earth (spleen) and stagnation in the wood (liver), leading to liver depression transforming into fire, which damages yin fluids, causing yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, resulting in vertigo, and eventually internal stirring of liver wind, culminating in eclampsia. Therefore, timely treatment of edema or preeclampsia is crucial to prevent the onset of eclampsia.

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1. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun．"Women's diseases of pregnancy: When the body is weak and affected by wind, it injures the taiyang meridian. If it stagnates in the meridians and collaterals, and later encounters cold-dampness, it results in lockjaw and stiff back, known as convulsion. If it occurs during pregnancy, it causes dizziness and unconsciousness, with brief awakenings followed by recurrences. This is also due to wind injuring the taiyang meridian causing convulsion, also known as eclampsia, also known as eclampsia." "Xingxuan Medical Records": "The cause of eclampsia is due to the fetus in the mother's womb, yin deficiency and excessive fire, Jingmai becomes empty and loose, essence does not nourish the spirit, softness does not nourish the tendons, leading to fainting and epilepsy-like symptoms, loss of soul and spirit, and convulsions of hands and feet."
2. "Shen's Nyuke Jiyao Commentary. Pregnant Women Resembling Wind": "Pregnant women suddenly collapse and cannot speak, or have a crooked mouth and eyes, or have spasms and convulsions in hands and feet, all are called apoplexy. Or if the back and waist arch backward, with intermittent fainting and awakening, it is called convulsion, also known as eclampsia.