Understanding Breech Presentation (Breech Birth) is crucial for accurate clinical documentation and medical coding. This resource provides information on diagnosing and managing a Breech Position in pregnancy, including ICD-10 codes, healthcare guidelines, and best practices for clinicians. Learn about different types of breech presentations, potential complications, and delivery options. Improve your understanding of Breech Presentation for optimal patient care and accurate medical record keeping.
Also known as
Breech presentation
Fetus presents buttocks or feet first during childbirth.
Maternal care related to the fetus and amniotic cavity and possible delivery problems
Encompasses various complications affecting the fetus, amniotic cavity, and potential delivery issues.
Pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium
Covers a wide range of conditions related to pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the breech presentation confirmed at delivery?
Yes
Is the fetus single?
No
Is it diagnosed during pregnancy?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Fetus' buttocks or feet present first. |
| Difficult labor due to fetal malposition. |
| Fetus lies horizontally in the uterus. |
Coding O32.1 requires specifying the type of breech (frank, complete, footling). Unspecified breech leads to claims rejection.
Breech presentation coding should correlate with gestational age documentation for accurate severity and reimbursement.
Failing to code co-existing conditions like placenta previa or fetal anomalies with breech impacts DRG assignment.
Q: What are the best evidence-based practices for managing a frank breech presentation at 37 weeks gestation?
A: Managing a frank breech presentation at 37 weeks gestation involves a combination of approaches tailored to the individual patient. External Cephalic Version (ECV) is often recommended between 36 and 37 weeks, with success rates varying depending on clinician experience and patient factors. Factors impacting ECV success include parity, amniotic fluid index, placental location, and fetal position. Consider implementing a standardized ECV protocol including pre-procedure ultrasound to confirm fetal lie and exclude contraindications, tocolysis, and continuous fetal monitoring. When ECV is unsuccessful or contraindicated, planned cesarean delivery is typically the safest mode of delivery. Explore how shared decision-making can be used to discuss risks and benefits of both vaginal breech delivery and planned cesarean birth with the patient. Learn more about the risks and benefits of each approach to guide management decisions.
Q: How do I accurately differentiate between frank, complete, and footling breech presentations on ultrasound and physical exam, and what are the implications for delivery planning?
A: Accurate differentiation of breech presentations is crucial for delivery planning. On ultrasound, frank breech is visualized with hips flexed and knees extended, complete breech with both hips and knees flexed, and footling breech with one or both feet presenting below the buttocks. Physical exam, while less precise, can corroborate ultrasound findings. Palpation may reveal the fetal buttocks as a soft, irregular mass, whereas a hard, round surface suggests the head. Footling breech, sometimes discernible by palpating the fetal foot, carries the highest risk of umbilical cord prolapse. This distinction significantly influences delivery decisions, as frank breech may allow for vaginal delivery in select cases with experienced providers, whereas complete and especially footling breech presentations often necessitate a planned cesarean section due to increased complications risk. Consider implementing a standardized protocol for confirming fetal presentation both by ultrasound and physical exam to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate delivery planning. Explore how integrating fetal presentation assessment into routine prenatal care can improve outcomes.
Patient presents with a breech presentation, confirmed by physical examination and ultrasound imaging. Fetal lie is longitudinal with the presenting part being the buttocks or feet. This diagnosis of breech birth is documented at [gestational age] weeks. Risks associated with breech delivery, including umbilical cord prolapse, birth trauma, and cesarean section, were discussed with the patient. Management options for external cephalic version (ECV) were presented, and patient [accepteddeclined] the procedure. Fetal monitoring will continue, and a plan for [vaginal deliverycesarean delivery] will be determined based on fetal position, maternal pelvis assessment, and ongoing clinical evaluation. ICD-10 code O32.1, Breech presentation, is recorded. Patient education materials on breech pregnancy and delivery complications were provided. Follow-up appointment scheduled for [date]. Further evaluation and management will focus on optimizing fetal positioning for delivery and minimizing potential complications.