Obesity complicating the puerperium

This code signifies the presence of obesity as a complicating factor during the puerperium, the period immediately following childbirth. It indicates that the patient's pre-existing or newly diagnosed obesity is impacting her recovery or health status in the postpartum period.

Use this code when a patient's obesity is documented as a comorbidity or complication during the six-week postpartum period. Documentation should explicitly link obesity to a negative impact on the puerperal course, such as delayed wound healing, increased risk of infection, or exacerbation of other conditions.

• Always sequence this code after the primary obstetric code indicating the reason for the encounter.
• Ensure documentation clearly states the patient is in the puerperium and that obesity is a complicating factor.
• Do not use this code for obesity present during pregnancy (use O99.214) or for obesity unrelated to the puerperal period.