ICD-10-PCS Obstetrics Section Guidelines

Procedures on the Pregnant Female Only

• The Obstetrics section (Section 1) is used only for procedures performed on the pregnant female.

• Procedures performed on the fetus are not coded in this section.

🧠 Tip: 🤰 “Mom only — fetus gets coded elsewhere.”

Procedures During Delivery

• Use root operation “Delivery” for assisting vaginal delivery (e.g., forceps, vacuum).

• Do not use “Extraction” unless it's a Cesarean section.

🧠 Tip: 👶 “Vaginal = Delivery. C-section = Extraction.”

Multiple Gestations

• Code each delivery separately when multiple fetuses are delivered.

• Use qualifiers to indicate which fetus was delivered (e.g., first, second).

🧠 Tip: 🔢 “Twins? Triplets? Code each arrival.”

Procedures Not Classified as Delivery

• Procedures like episiotomy, repair of laceration, manual placenta removal are not coded as Delivery.

• Use appropriate Medical and Surgical section codes.

🧠 Tip: 🧵 “Support work ≠ Delivery code.”

Approach and Body Part

• Use “Via Natural or Artificial Opening” for vaginal deliveries.

• Body part is typically “Products of Conception”.