Preterm labor without delivery, third trimester

This code signifies the presence of regular uterine contractions causing cervical changes (effacement or dilation) in a pregnant patient who is between 28 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 6 days gestation, but has not yet delivered. It indicates that the labor process has begun prematurely but has been arrested or is ongoing without the birth of the infant.

Apply this code when a pregnant patient in her third trimester presents with documented preterm labor, but the delivery has not occurred. This includes situations where labor is successfully inhibited with tocolytics or where the patient is still in active preterm labor without delivery at the time of discharge or encounter. Documentation should clearly state "preterm labor" and specify the third trimester.

• Do not use this code if delivery occurs during the same encounter; instead, use codes for preterm labor with preterm delivery.
• Ensure documentation specifies "third trimester" and explicitly states "without delivery."
• Consider sequencing this code as the principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for the admission or encounter.