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2025 ICD-10-CM code O69.0XX3

Labor and delivery complicated by prolapse of cord, fetus 3.

The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting state that Chapter 15 codes (Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium) are to be used only on the mother's record, never on the newborn's record.The 7th character extensions are used to specify the fetus affected in a multiple gestation pregnancy.

The medical necessity of interventions for umbilical cord prolapse is inherent in the condition itself.Prolapse of the umbilical cord represents a threat to fetal well-being and requires immediate intervention to prevent or minimize hypoxia and potential long-term complications.Therefore, any interventions performed in response to a prolapsed cord are considered medically necessary.

Obstetricians are responsible for managing labor and delivery complicated by umbilical cord prolapse.They must recognize the prolapse promptly and take appropriate measures to relieve compression on the cord and ensure the safety of the fetus.This may involve manually elevating the presenting part of the fetus, changing the mother's position, or expediting delivery via Cesarean section.

In simple words: During labor and delivery of the third baby in a multiple pregnancy, the umbilical cord slipped down into the birth canal before the baby, creating a dangerous situation for the baby.

Labor and delivery complicated by prolapse of cord, fetus 3. This code is used specifically for the maternal record, not the newborn's record. It indicates that during labor and delivery of the third fetus in a multiple gestation pregnancy, the umbilical cord prolapsed, meaning it descended into the birth canal ahead of the presenting part of the fetus.This is a serious complication that can compromise fetal blood supply and oxygenation.

Example 1: A woman pregnant with triplets presents in labor at 35 weeks gestation. During the vaginal delivery of the third baby, the umbilical cord prolapses. The obstetrician elevates the presenting part and performs an emergency Cesarean delivery. The code O69.0XX3 would be used to describe the cord prolapse of the third fetus., A woman carrying twins has a planned Cesarean delivery at 38 weeks.During the delivery, after the birth of the first twin, the cord of the second twin is found prolapsed. Although not a vaginal delivery, O69.0XX2 is used for the second twin's cord prolapse., A pregnant woman with triplets is in labor. The first two babies are delivered vaginally without complications.During the delivery of the third baby, the umbilical cord is wrapped tightly around the baby's neck, which is documented as a nuchal cord. The third baby also experiences a prolapsed cord. In this instance, both O69.1XX3 (cord around neck, fetus 3) and O69.0XX3 are coded.

Documentation for O69.0XX3 should clearly state "prolapse of cord" and specify that this occurred during the labor and delivery of the third fetus. The total number of fetuses should also be documented. Details of the intervention performed to address the prolapse (e.g., manual elevation, Cesarean delivery) should also be recorded.

** This code is always used on the maternal record. For the newborn record, a code from Chapter 16 (Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period) would be used to describe any effects of the cord prolapse, such as P20.9 (Hypoxia, unspecified).

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