Mild to moderate pre-eclampsia, complicating childbirth

This code signifies a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, characterized by mild to moderate severity, that is present during the childbirth encounter. Pre-eclampsia involves new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, and in this specific instance, it is complicating the delivery process.

Apply this code when a patient with documented mild to moderate pre-eclampsia is admitted for or undergoes labor and delivery. Documentation should clearly state the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and its presence during the childbirth event, along with an assessment of its severity.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the outcome of delivery (e.g., Z37.xx).
• Ensure the medical record specifies "mild to moderate" pre-eclampsia; otherwise, a different severity code may be more appropriate.
• Distinguish from pre-eclampsia complicating pregnancy (O14.00-O14.03) or the puerperium (O14.05).