Rupture of uterus before onset of labor, third trimester

This code signifies a spontaneous or traumatic tearing of the uterine wall occurring during the third trimester of pregnancy, prior to the initiation of labor contractions. This serious obstetric complication can lead to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a uterine rupture in a pregnant patient who is in her third trimester and has not yet begun labor. Supporting documentation would include operative reports detailing the rupture, physician notes describing the event, and imaging reports confirming the diagnosis.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "before onset of labor" to differentiate from ruptures occurring during labor.
• Always sequence this code as the principal diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, followed by codes for any associated fetal complications.
• Distinguish from uterine dehiscence, which is an incomplete separation of a prior uterine scar and typically coded differently.