Fetal water refers to the symptoms of abnormally large abdomen, chest and diaphragm fullness, and severe restlessness that occur after the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. Fuke Yuchi states: "If not treated early, the child will inevitably have soft and short limbs, physical disabilities, or die immediately after birth." This indicates that this condition often results in malformed fetuses or dead fetuses.

This conditionZhubing Yuanhou Lun is referred to as "polyhydramnios," also known as "polyhydramnios"; Furen Liangfang calls it "polyhydramnios"; Jiyin Gangmu first termed it "fetal water"; Yizong Jinjian．Gynecology Essentials lists this condition as "edema in pregnancy." However, fetal water is different from "edema in pregnancy," as the latter involves both swelling and distension, whereas fetal water only involves edema, so they should not be confused.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Spleen Deficiency︰After five or six months of pregnancy, the abdomen rapidly enlarges, with swelling in the hands, feet, face, and eyes, scant urine, and in severe cases, chest tightness and panting, making it difficult to lie flat. The tongue texture is pale, with a thin, white, and moist coating, and the pulse is deep, thin, and slippery. This is often due to inherent spleen-stomach weakness, or dietary irregularities, excessive consumption of raw or cold foods, injury to spleen yang, or diarrhea and dysentery, which deplete the spleen and stomach. It may also result from malarial fever with excessive thirst and drinking, dampness soaking the spleen and stomach, leading to impaired middle yang and the accumulation of water-dampness in the fetus. There must be signs of spleen-stomach weakness and middle yang deficiency, such as limb weakness, poor appetite, and a pale yellow complexion. Treatment should focus on invigorating the spleen and draining dampness. For mild cases, Astragalus Root Red Kun Decoction can be used. For cases with panting and inability to lie flat, Qianjin Carp Decoction, Four Gentlemen Decoction, or Quansheng White Atractylodes Powder with modifications may be employed.
2. Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency︰After five or six months of pregnancy, the abdomen abnormally enlarges, accompanied by shortness of breath and palpitations, generalized swelling, aching pain in the lumbar spine, weakness in both knees, cold limbs with fear of cold, or loose stools. The complexion appears dull or sallow, the tongue texture is pale with thin white and slippery coating, and the pulse is deep, wiry, and slippery. This condition arises due to pre-existing deficiency of spleen and kidney yang, or excessive sexual activity leading to internal damage of kidney qi and decline of kidney yang, which fails to warm and nourish the spleen earth. Alternatively, spleen deficiency may worsen, further weakening kidney yang. Spleen-kidney yang deficiency results in water-dampness retention and impaired regulation, leading to fluid accumulation in the uterus. The clinical manifestations include rapid abdominal enlargement inconsistent with gestational age, chest tightness and panting, and limb edema, which are common symptoms. It must also be accompanied by signs of kidney yang deficiency, such as cold limbs with fear of cold, aching pain in the lumbar spine, weakness in both knees, and a dull complexion. Treatment should focus on warming the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, regulating qi, and promoting water metabolism. Prescriptions such as Qianjin Carp Soup with Cinnamon Twig, Perilla Leaf, and Villous Amomum Fruit, or Spleen-Strengthening Decoction with modifications can be used.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Nyuke Jinglun．In the section on prenatal conditions, Qi Zhong-fu said: "Polyhydramnios, if the water does not drain and soaks the fetus, will cause the fetus to deteriorate. If the pulse is floating and there is abdominal distension and fullness accompanied by panting, the fetus has not yet deteriorated."
2. Zhangshi Yitong．In the section on women's diseases: "During pregnancy, generalized edema, indistinct chest and flanks, or acute distension of the heart and abdomen, is called fetal water, treated with Qianjin Carp Decoction. After taking three to five doses of the aforementioned decoction, both stool and urine will discharge foul water, the swelling will subside, the distension will disappear, and a dead fetus will be expelled."