2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O29

Specific Coding Applicable to Complications of anesthesia during pregnancy

Non-specific codes like O29 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 complications of anesthesia during pregnancy:

Patient Education

Anesthesia

What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the use of medicines, called anesthetics, to prevent pain during surgery and other medical procedures. Medicine may be given by injection, inhalation, topical lotion, spray, eye drops, or a skin patch.

Anesthesia can cause a loss of feeling, awareness, or both. Sedation may be used with anesthesia. Unlike full anesthesia, sedation doesn't make you completely unconscious, and recovery is faster. It helps reduce pain, keep you calm, and make you less aware during procedures such as minor surgeries, endoscopies, imaging, or dental work.

Levels of sedation include:

• Minimal sedation. You are awake but more relaxed.
• Moderate sedation (conscious sedation). You may feel sleepy and not remember much, but you can still respond when spoken to or touched.
• Deep sedation. You are very drowsy and may respond only to repeated or stronger stimulation.

What is anesthesia used for?

Anesthesia may be used for:

• Minor procedures, such as filling a tooth.
• Childbirth or procedures such as colonoscopies.
• Minor and major surgeries.

In some cases, a dentist, nurse, or doctor may give you an anesthetic. In other cases, you may need an anesthesiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in giving anesthesia.

What are the types of anesthesia?

There are several different types of anesthesia:

• Local anesthesia numbs a small area like a tooth or a cut that needs stitches. You are awake during local anesthesia.
• Regional anesthesia numbs a larger area, like an arm, a leg, or everything below the waist. You may be awake during the procedure, or you may be given sedation. It may be used during childbirth, a Cesarean delivery (C-section), or minor surgeries.
• General anesthesia affects your whole body. It feels like a deep sleep, but you do not feel anything. It is used during major surgeries, such as heart surgery, brain surgery, back surgery, and organ transplants.
• Monitored sedation makes you relaxed or sleepy. You may be able to talk, depending on the level of sedation, and you probably won't remember the procedure. It may be used for a colonoscopy or dental work.

Your overall health, medical history, the procedure you're having, and other factors will help determine the type of anesthesia you receive.

What are the risks of anesthesia?

Anesthesia is generally safe. But there can be risks, especially with general anesthesia, including:

• Heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia).
• Breathing problems.
• An allergic reaction to the anesthesia.
• Temporary confusion (delirium), which can last several days in some people over the age of 60, or briefly in children after waking up from anesthesia.
• Awareness when someone is under general anesthesia. This usually means that the person hears sounds. But sometimes they can feel pain. This is rare.

Talk to your health care provider about the benefits and risks of anesthesia.

Health Problems in Pregnancy

What are health problems in pregnancy?

A health problem in pregnancy is any disease or condition that could affect your health or the health of your fetus. Some health problems may make it more likely that you will have a high-risk pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy is one in which you, your fetus, or both are at higher risk for health problems than in a typical pregnancy.

But just because you have health problems, it doesn't mean that you, or your fetus, will have a problem during the pregnancy. Taking care of yourself and getting early and regular prenatal care from a health care provider may help you reduce pregnancy risks from health problems.

What raises my risk for health problems during pregnancy?

Every pregnancy has some risk of problems, but your lifestyle, as well as factors like certain conditions and health issues, can raise that risk, such as:

• A health condition you had before you got pregnant
• A health condition you develop during pregnancy
• A pregnancy with more than one baby
• A health problem that happened during a previous pregnancy and could happen again
• Substance use during pregnancy
• Being over age 35

Any of these can affect your health, the health of your fetus, or both.

Can chronic health conditions cause problems in pregnancy?

Every pregnancy is different. If you have specific risks in one pregnancy, it doesn't mean that you will have them in another. But, if you have a chronic condition, you should talk to your provider about how to minimize your risk before you get pregnant. Once you are pregnant, you may need a health care team to monitor your pregnancy. Some common conditions that can complicate a pregnancy include:

• High blood pressure
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Kidney problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Thyroid disease
• Obesity
• HIV
• Cancer
• Infections

Other conditions that may make pregnancy risky can develop during pregnancy - for example, gestational diabetes and Rh incompatibility.

Can health problems in pregnancy be prevented?

You may be able to lower your risk of certain health problems by making healthy lifestyle changes before you get pregnant. These can include reaching a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing any health conditions.

However, health problems during pregnancy are not always preventable. Some chronic conditions can be treated and controlled, while others aren't treatable and carry a higher risk than usual, even if the health problem is well-managed.

Share your symptoms with your provider for early detection and treatment of health problems. Sometimes, it's hard to know what's normal. Some symptoms, like nausea, back pain, and fatigue, are common during pregnancy, while other symptoms, like vaginal bleeding or a severe or long-lasting headache, can be signs of a problem. Call your provider to let them know if something is bothering or worrying you.

Code History

• FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
• FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
• 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.