Abnormality in fetal heart rate and rhythm complicating labor and delivery (O76)

The ICD-10 code O76 is used to identify cases where there is an abnormality in the fetal heart rate or rhythm during labor and delivery. This code highlights when irregular fetal heart activity complicates childbirth.

Code O76labor and delivery complicated by fetal heart rate anomaly and labor and delivery complicated by fetal heart rate anomaly with meconium in amniotic fluid. These terms describe irregular or concerning fetal heart patterns that may signal distress, requiring careful monitoring and management to ensure the baby’s health. This ICD-10 code helps healthcare providers and medical coders document these specific complications during labor, distinguishing them from other childbirth-related issues. Using this code accurately supports precise medical records and guides appropriate clinical interventions for fetal distress during delivery.

Instructional Notations

Inclusion Terms

These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.

  • Depressed fetal heart rate tones complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal bradycardia complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal heart rate decelerations complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal heart rate irregularity complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal heart rate abnormal variability complicating labor and delivery
  • Fetal tachycardia complicating labor and delivery
  • Non-reassuring fetal heart rate or rhythm complicating labor and delivery

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.

  • fetal stress NOS O77.9
  • labor and delivery complicated by electrocardiographic evidence of fetal stress O77.8
  • labor and delivery complicated by ultrasonic evidence of fetal stress O77.8

Type 2 Excludes

A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.