CODES.AND.STUFF

Q.    Is it appropriate to assign ICD-10 code O75.7 Vaginal delivery following previous caesarean section, on all patients who deliver vaginally following a previous caesarean section?

A.    The biggest cause for concern for mothers who deliver vaginally following a previous caesarean section is that the existing caesarean scar may rupture during labour. During the delivery episode both mother and baby will require close monitoring throughout the labour to ensure that any problems are identified and treated before delivery commences. Consequently, a caesarean section previous to a current vaginal delivery must always be considered a complication.

Therefore, if it is documented in the patients medical record that the mother has delivered vaginally following previous caesarean section (regardless of how far in the past that caesarean section was), then it is appropriate to assign ICD-10 code O75.7 Vaginal delivery following previous caesarean section, in either a primary or secondary position, depending on whether ‘vaginal delivery following previous caesarean section’ is the main condition treated during the episode of care.

Date published: 06/2010 (Volume 7 Issue 3)

Coding Clinic, NHS Classifications Service

www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/codingclinic

Related articles

• Caesarian or natural birth – which is safer? (guardian.co.uk)
• NHS caesarean guidelines aim to push down demand for procedure (guardian.co.uk)

Tags: obs, obstetrics, VBAC