Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O88

Obstetric embolism

ICD-10-CM Code:
O88
ICD-10 Code for:
Obstetric embolism
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
    (O00-O9A)
    • Complications predominantly related to the puerperium
      (O85-O92)
      • Obstetric embolism
        (O88)

O88 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of obstetric embolism. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Obstetric embolism

Non-specific codes like O88 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for obstetric embolism:

  • O88.0 for Obstetric air embolism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.01 for Obstetric air embolism in pregnancy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.02 for Air embolism in childbirth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.03 for Air embolism in the puerperium - BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.1 for Amniotic fluid embolism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.11 for Amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.12 for Amniotic fluid embolism in childbirth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.13 for Amniotic fluid embolism in the puerperium - BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.2 for Obstetric thromboembolism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.21 for Thromboembolism in pregnancy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.22 for Thromboembolism in childbirth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.23 for Thromboembolism in the puerperium - BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.3 for Obstetric pyemic and septic embolism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.31 for Pyemic and septic embolism in pregnancy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.32 for Pyemic and septic embolism in childbirth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.33 for Pyemic and septic embolism in the puerperium - BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.8 for Other obstetric embolism - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • O88.81 for Other embolism in pregnancy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.82 for Other embolism in childbirth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use O88.83 for Other embolism in the puerperium - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • embolism complicating abortion NOS O03.2
  • embolism complicating ectopic or molar pregnancy O08.2
  • embolism complicating failed attempted abortion O07.2
  • embolism complicating induced abortion O04.7
  • embolism complicating spontaneous abortion O03.2 O03.7

Patient Education


Childbirth Problems

Childbirth is the process of giving birth to a baby. It includes labor and delivery. Usually everything goes well, but problems can happen. They may cause a risk to the mother, baby, or both. Some of the more common childbirth problems include:

  • Preterm (premature) labor, when your labor starts before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy
  • Premature rupture of membranes (PROM), when your water breaks too early. If labor does not start soon afterwards, this can raise the risk of infection.
  • Problems with the placenta, such as the placenta covering the cervix, separating from the uterus before birth, or being attached too firmly to the uterus
  • Labor that does not progress, meaning that labor is stalled. This can happen when
    • Your contractions weaken
    • Your cervix does not dilate (open) enough or is taking too long to dilate
    • The baby is not in the right position
    • The baby is too big or your pelvis is too small for the baby to move through the birth canal
  • Abnormal heart rate of the baby. Often, an abnormal heart rate is not a problem. But if the heart rate gets very fast or very slow, it can be a sign that your baby is not getting enough oxygen or that there are other problems.
  • Problems with the umbilical cord, such as the cord getting caught on the baby's arm, leg, or neck. It's also a problem if cord comes out before the baby does.
  • Problems with the position of the baby, such as breech, in which the baby is going to come out feet first
  • Shoulder dystocia, when the baby's head comes out, but the shoulder gets stuck
  • Perinatal asphyxia, which happens when the baby does not get enough oxygen in the uterus, during labor or delivery, or just after birth
  • Perineal tears, tearing of your vagina and the surrounding tissues
  • Excessive bleeding, which can happen when the delivery causes tears to the uterus or if you are not able to deliver the placenta after you give birth to the baby
  • Post-term pregnancy, when your pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks

If you have problems in childbirth, your health care provider may need to give you medicines to induce or speed up labor, use tools to help guide the baby out of the birth canal, or deliver the baby by Cesarean section.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.