Understanding constipation in pregnancy, also known as pregnancy-related constipation or gestational constipation, is crucial for proper healthcare documentation and medical coding. This resource offers information on diagnosing and managing constipation during pregnancy, including clinical signs, symptoms, ICD-10 codes, and best practices for patient care. Learn about the causes of gestational constipation and effective treatment options for pregnant women experiencing this common condition.
Also known as
Constipation in pregnancy
Constipation specifically occurring during pregnancy.
Constipation
Functional constipation, not related to pregnancy.
Symptoms and signs involving...
General abdominal and pelvic symptoms, including possible constipation.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the constipation related to pregnancy?
Yes
Is there slow transit constipation?
No
Do NOT code as pregnancy-related. Code the underlying cause of constipation.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Infrequent bowel movements during pregnancy. |
| Difficult or infrequent bowel movements, not pregnancy-related. |
| Slowed colonic transit time, causing infrequent bowel movements. |
Coding constipation without specifying pregnancy status can lead to inaccurate data and reimbursement.
If constipation is related to a specific anatomical location, laterality should be documented and coded for accurate reporting.
IBS or other bowel conditions may coexist. Ensure proper coding for all diagnoses to reflect complexity.
Q: What are the evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions for managing constipation in pregnancy, specifically in the second trimester?
A: Constipation during the second trimester of pregnancy is a common concern due to hormonal changes and uterine pressure. Non-pharmacological interventions are often the first line of treatment. These include increasing dietary fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, ensuring adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and encouraging regular physical activity as tolerated by the patient. Specifically, recommending exercises like brisk walking or prenatal yoga can be helpful. For patients struggling to increase fiber intake through diet alone, consider recommending bulk-forming agents like psyllium husk, which are generally considered safe during pregnancy. It's crucial to advise patients to gradually increase fiber intake to avoid bloating and gas. Explore how integrating these lifestyle modifications can improve patient outcomes in pregnancy-related constipation.
Q: How can I differentiate between normal pregnancy-related constipation and more serious gastrointestinal issues requiring further investigation during prenatal care?
A: While gestational constipation is common, it's essential to differentiate it from more serious conditions. Red flags that warrant further investigation include severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or sudden changes in bowel habits lasting longer than two weeks. These symptoms could indicate conditions like intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease exacerbation, or colorectal cancer. Careful patient history, including bowel movement frequency, consistency, and associated symptoms, is vital. Physical examination should focus on abdominal palpation and rectal examination if indicated. If suspicion for a more serious underlying condition exists, consider implementing appropriate diagnostic tests like complete blood count, metabolic panel, stool tests for occult blood, and potentially imaging studies like abdominal ultrasound or colonoscopy, depending on the clinical picture. Learn more about recognizing red flags for gastrointestinal issues during pregnancy to ensure appropriate and timely intervention.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with constipation in pregnancy, also known as pregnancy-related constipation or gestational constipation. Onset of symptoms began approximately [duration] ago and includes infrequent bowel movements, straining during defecation, passage of hard stools, and abdominal discomfort. She reports [frequency] bowel movements per week, a decrease from her pre-pregnancy baseline of [frequency]. Patient denies any nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain suggestive of obstruction, or blood in stool. Review of systems is otherwise unremarkable. Physical examination revealed a soft, non-tender abdomen with normal bowel sounds. Digital rectal exam was deferred. The patient's current pregnancy is at [gestational age] weeks. Her obstetric history includes [gravida, para]. Current medications include prenatal vitamins. Diagnosis of constipation in pregnancy is made based on patient's reported symptoms and physical exam findings. Differential diagnoses considered include irritable bowel syndrome and obstructed defecation. Plan includes increasing fluid intake, dietary fiber intake through foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and moderate exercise as tolerated. Patient education provided on the physiological changes of pregnancy contributing to constipation, including hormonal changes (progesterone) and mechanical compression from the enlarging uterus. Over-the-counter stool softeners such as docusate sodium will be considered if lifestyle modifications are insufficient. Patient advised to return for follow-up if symptoms worsen or if no improvement is seen within [timeframe]. ICD-10 code K59.0, Constipation in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, is documented for billing purposes. Return for follow up scheduled in [duration].