The drawbacks of a cesarean section are mainly concentrated in three areas. The first is aesthetics, a concern for all women, but this isn’t a major issue.

The second drawback is that the surgery leaves scars on the uterus, compromising its integrity. If a local scar heals poorly, it can easily lead to a uterine scar diverticulum, potentially causing incomplete menstrual flow. Furthermore, this increases the future risk of scar pregnancy, placenta implantation, and uterine rupture.

The third drawback is that a cesarean section may cause pelvic adhesions, and the risk of complications in future pregnancies also increases.

Based on these three identified points, clinical work in obstetrics aims to minimize the probability of cesarean sections; some hospitals have even set quotas for them.

Moreover, these are just the harms to the mother’s body. This method, which violates natural laws, may also impact the newborn.

According to an unauthoritative survey, children born via smooth delivery tend to be physically stronger, intellectually sharper, and have better character development than those born by cesarean section.

Du Heng had once discussed the effects of cesarean sections on the fetus with Yu Haiting.

At the time, Yu Haiting mentioned that his wife, at his request, had secretly conducted such a survey and analysis in her class. After a comprehensive comparison, they found that the points mentioned above were merely probabilistic events, albeit with a somewhat high probability.

Furthermore, the investigation and analysis conducted by Yu Haiting’s wife in a high school class had significant biases and limitations and could not be considered definitive.

However, Liu Shengnan clearly believed that smooth delivery was the best method. If she was unwilling to have a cesarean section, no one could do anything until the very last moment.

Don’t believe those stories about women in the delivery room whose husbands and mothers-in-law outside refuse to sign consent forms, even if a life is at stake.

The primary requirement in the delivery room is to ensure the mother’s safety.

If such husbands and mothers-in-law truly existed, don’t you think the doctors in the delivery room would call the police in minutes?

Besides, the expectant mother is merely giving birth; she isn’t comatose or unconscious. How could her wishes not be respected?

Thus, this was why Director Zhang from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department had come out to speak with Xu Pinglin.

Xu Pinglin was at a complete loss. At this moment, he wasn’t a department head; he was just a husband worried about his wife, a father anxious about his child.

"Director Xu, I hope you can go into the delivery room to be with Director Liu and try to persuade her," Director Zhang said.

"Alright, I’ll go in with you."

Xu Pinglin agreed immediately and followed Director Zhang through the small door of the conversation room directly into the delivery room.

Looking at the empty conversation room, Du Heng was somewhat dumbfounded. Xu Pinglin just up and left, so what about me, the accompanying guest? What was I supposed to do?

Du Heng, frustrated, walked out of the conversation room alone. At this moment, he was caught in a dilemma: to leave or not to leave. If he left now, with Liu Shengnan in an unexpected situation, it would be inappropriate both as a colleague and as a friend, logically and emotionally. But if he stayed, what would it look like for him to linger alone at the entrance of the delivery room?

After some thought, Du Heng sat back down where he had been. Even if he were to leave, he should at least inform Xu Pinglin first.

However, this solitude didn’t last long. About ten minutes later, Xu Pinglin walked out, looking back reluctantly.

Noticing Xu Pinglin’s expression, Du Heng’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly went up to him. "Director Xu, why did you come out? Weren’t you asked to go in to accompany her and persuade Director Liu?"

"Sigh, I was kicked out."

"What do you mean?" Du Heng was very puzzled.

When Xu Pinglin went in and saw Liu Shengnan’s condition, he became even more anxious than before. "Liu won’t listen to reason," he explained. "She’s insisting on a smooth delivery. She said I was too loud and kicked me out."

For a moment, Du Heng didn’t know what to say, so he could only sit there in silence with Xu Pinglin.

During childbirth, if the amniotic fluid breaks and the baby reaches the birth canal, but the pelvic bone doesn’t open and the cervix isn’t dilated enough for the baby to pass, it’s a classic case of difficult labor, especially in the old society. In such situations, not only was the baby’s survival at risk, but the Woman in childbirth could also lose her life.

But now, with cesarean sections, even in dangerous situations, at least the mother’s life can be saved.

Liu Shengnan’s desire for a smooth delivery was understandable, but her current approach was undoubtedly putting herself and her unborn child in a dangerous situation.

The opening of the pelvic bone is governed by qi and blood.

The fact that her pelvic bone was not opening indicated a significant deficiency of qi and blood in Liu Shengnan.

Moreover, Liu Shengnan was already forty years old. In previous years, because of Xu Pinglin’s issues, she had devoted herself entirely to her career, which had certainly led to a depletion of her qi and blood.

However, prolonged physical deficiency alone wouldn’t explain why her cervix had only dilated to three fingers after four hours.

So there must be another existing condition: sperm.

Du Heng glanced around, then leaned closer to Xu Pinglin and asked in a low voice, "Director Xu, let me ask you something. Have you and Director Liu been intimate recently?"

Xu Pinglin, initially tense, suddenly became extremely embarrassed. He looked at Du Heng with a mixture of confusion and utter bewilderment, wondering why Du Heng would ask such a private question.

"Director Xu, please tell me quickly, yes or no?"

"...Yes, a few times."

Du Heng sighed. It was just as I suspected.

Liu Shengnan was already deficient in qi and blood due to her age and old health problems. Furthermore, she had intercourse during pregnancy, leading to sperm (a critical loss of vital essence), which then caused the current state of severe qi and blood deficiency. This, in turn, made her pelvic bone ’sticky’ and unable to open.

Was there a solution?

Of course. The solution was to prescribe medication to replenish Liu Shengnan’s qi and blood, combined with medication to dilate the pelvic bone. With this combined treatment, the baby would be born quickly, possibly without even needing an Obstetrician to assist in the delivery.

Du Heng chose not to comment on Xu Pinglin’s behavior. Instead, he continued softly, "Director Xu, I have a prescription that can help Director Liu deliver smoothly."

Xu Pinglin’s eyes lit up, and he stared at Du Heng expectantly.

"Director Xu, I can give you the prescription, but you’ll have to handle the communication with the delivery room doctors."

"Director Du, just tell me. I’ll take care of those things."

Xu Pinglin had great faith in Du Heng’s medical skills. Most importantly, it was thanks to Du Heng that his wife had been able to conceive.

Hmm, why does that sound so awkward?

After a moment of distraction, Xu Pinglin focused on Du Heng again.

Du Heng took out his mobile phone and directly sent the prescription to Xu Pinglin via text message, explaining, "Director Liu is currently suffering from a severe deficiency of qi and blood. Therefore, use Ginseng to tonify qi; angelica and rhizoma ligustici to nourish blood; and safflower for activating blood. Then, use achyranthes for its descending action and oak to open the passages. Just one dose of this childbirth-aid powder should resolve Director Liu’s situation instantly."