bubble_chart Concept

Habitual abortion refers to the occurrence of three or more consecutive early abortions or late abortions. It is also known as "habitual abortion." Jingui Yaolue states: "The combination of deficiency and cold is called 'ge.' In women, it leads to miscarriage and fistula disease, while in men, it results in blood loss and seminal emission." Miscarriage refers to giving birth before the due date, when the fetal qi is not fully developed, which is also known as late abortion. Yizong Jinjian·Furen Xinfa Yaojue states: "If a woman miscarries spontaneously during the third, fifth, or seventh month of pregnancy without any apparent reason, and the same occurs in subsequent pregnancies, this repeated occurrence of habitual abortion is called habitual abortion." In severe cases, the woman may conceive and miscarry repeatedly, never being able to carry a pregnancy to term.

After habitual abortion, subsequent pregnancies often present with symptoms such as lower back pain, abdominal heaviness, or vaginal bleeding, which are similar to those of threatened abortion. However, habitual abortion is distinguished by a history of repeated early abortions.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Insecurity of Kidney Qi︰She has experienced several miscarriages, with symptoms of soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, a sagging sensation in the lower abdomen, dizziness, tinnitus, frequent urination or incontinence, or vaginal bleeding. The tongue texture is pale, and the pulse is slippery and large, especially weak in both chi positions. It is advisable to tonify the kidneys and stabilize the fetus. The prescription includes Qianjin Baoyun Wan combined with Fetus-Preserving Pill with modifications.
2. Spleen-Stomach Qi Deficiency︰Several miscarriages or late abortion, sallow complexion with slight swelling, abdominal distension and fullness with a bearing-down sensation, mental fatigue and lack of strength, shortage of qi with reluctance to speak, bland taste in the mouth and anorexia, large loose stool and thin, pale red tongue with thin white coating, slow pulse. It is advisable to tonify the spleen and replenish qi to stabilize the fetus. The prescription used is Middle-Tonifying Qi-Replenishing Decoction with modifications.
3. Frenetic Stirring of Ministerial Fire︰Multiple early abortions, emaciated and withered complexion, flushed cheeks, vexing heat in chest, palms and soles, dry mouth with a preference for drinking, aching pain in the waist, vaginal bleeding, red and crimson tongue texture, scant coating, slippery and rapid pulse or weak pulse at the chi position. This is due to heat, often caused by the stagnation of the seven emotions, which transforms into fire, or by unrestrained sexual activity, leading to internal blazing of desire-fire. The more the fire flares, the more the water dries up—just as withered crops result from depleted water, how can the fetus remain secure? If the body is inherently deficient in qi and blood, and wind-cold invades the uterus with appendages, the fetal essence loses its warmth and nourishment—like fruit falling when blown by the wind, the fetus naturally aborts early. The key points of differentiation for these two conditions are: those with frenetic stirring of ministerial fire exhibit a series of "heat" signs, such as vexing heat in chest, palms and soles, flushed cheeks, dry mouth with a preference for cool drinks, red tongue, and rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on nourishing yin and reducing fire to stabilize the fetus, using Yin-Preserving Decoction. For those with deficiency-cold combatting each other, there is a series of "cold" signs, such as cold pain in the lower abdomen, aversion to cold with a preference for warmth, slippery tongue coating, and slow pulse. Treatment should focus on tonifying qi and warming the channels to stabilize the fetus, using White Atractylodes Powder for calming the fetus.
4. Deficiency-Cold Conflict︰History of habitual abortion, cold pain in the lower abdomen, cold limbs, aversion to cold and preference for warmth, aching pain in the lower back and knees, diarrhea, clear and abundant urine, pale tongue with thin white slippery coating, deep slow and weak pulse. It is cold in nature, distinctly different and relatively easy to distinguish.
5. External Injury︰There is a history of significant external trauma during pregnancy, multiple early abortions, and symptoms such as lower back pain, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, fetal movement indicating impending miscarriage, and mental fatigue, with a slippery and weak pulse. This is due to falls, sprains, or overexertion and long-distance travel, which directly injure fetal qi, leading to early abortion. Inquiry into the medical history can aid in differentiation. Treatment should focus on supporting qi and nourishing blood, tonifying the kidney to calm the fetus, using Sage Cure Decoction combined with Fetus-Preserving Pill.

The condition of habitual abortion has complex causes and diverse symptoms and signs, and should not be approached with a one-size-fits-all mindset. While medication and recuperation are important for prevention and treatment, it is particularly crucial to be cautious about sexual activity. This is why ancient people regarded "lust" as a major taboo during pregnancy. Additionally, it is essential to avoid anger and overexertion, among other precautions.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Nyuke Jinglun．Prenatal symptoms: "Xie Li-zhai said: Late abortion is more severe than full-term delivery. Full-term delivery is like a chestnut ripening and falling off naturally, while late abortion is like picking it prematurely, breaking its shell and severing its root. However, many people neglect this, leading to death. The treatment should focus on replenishing physical energy, generating new blood, and removing static blood. If the pregnancy is not yet full-term and there is pain indicating impending labor, double the dose of Anemarrhena in the Bu Zhong Tang to stop it. If there is bleeding after delivery, use GinsengAstragalus Decoction to replenish. If there is abdominal pain after delivery, use Chuanxiong and Danggui Decoction. For those with weak fetal qi leading to late abortion, use Eight Precious Ingredients Decoction to stabilize."