Fetal spotting

Passing of blood via the vagina in pregnancy. Fetal spotting is usually caused by qì-blood vacuity, kidney vacuity, or blood heat causing insecurity of the thoroughfare (chōng) and controlling (rèn) vessels and preventing the containment of blood that nourishes the fetus. It may take the form of periodic bleeding in small amounts, or spotting according to the times of the period.

Patterns

Qì vacuity (气虚 qì xū) patterns are characterized by scantness of breath and laziness to speak.

Medicinal therapy: Supplement qì and quiet the fetus with Origin-Lifting Brew (举元煎 jǔ yuán jiān).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on GV, CV, and SP. Select GV-20 (Hundred Convergences, 百会 bǎi huì), CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo); needle with supplementation and moxa.

Blood vacuity (血虚 xuè xū) patterns are characterized by pale yellow facial complexion, as well as fatigue and lack of strength.

Medicinal therapy: Supplement the blood and quiet the fetus with Fetal Origin Beverage (胎元饮 tāi yuán yǐn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and back transport points. Select CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), and BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù); needle with supplementation and moxa.

Kidney vacuity (肾虚 shèn xū) patterns are characterized by dizzy head, tinnitus, and frequent urination.

Medicinal therapy: Secure the kidney and quiet the fetus with Fetal Longevity Pill (寿胎丸 shòu tāi wán).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and KI. Select CV-4 (Pass Head, 关元 guān yuán), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), KI-7 (Recover Flow, 复溜 fù liū), and GV-4 (Life Gate, 命门 mìng mén); needle with supplementation and moxa.

Blood heat (血热 xuè rè) patterns are characterized by dry mouth and pharynx, and vexation.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat, cool the blood, and quiet the fetus with Yīn-Safeguarding Brew (保阴煎 bǎo yīn jiān).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on CV and SP. Select CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), CV-3 (Central Pole, 中极 zhōng jí), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), SP-1 (Hidden White, 隐白 yǐn bái), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), and KI-2 (Blazing Valley, 然谷 rán gǔ); needle with drainage. In repletion pattern fetal spotting, a draining needle stimulus should be applied with care. The needle sensation must be increased gradually from weak to strong, and draining should not be performed until the patient has become accustomed to it.