ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for dystocia
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Dystocia”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding dystocia
The ICD-10-CM code for dystocia is O66.9 (Obstructed labor, unspecified). The official index lists 15 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on O66.9.
Within O66, choose O66.9 (Obstructed labor, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia (O66.0), obstructed labor due to locked twins (O66.1), obstructed labor due to unusually large fetus (O66.2), obstructed labor due to other abnormalities of fetus (O66.3), failed trial of labor (O66.4), attempted application of vacuum extractor and forceps (O66.5), obstructed labor due to other multiple fetuses (O66.6) and other specified obstructed labor (O66.8).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 817 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses with O.R. Procedures with MCC, relative weight 2.0534), DRG 818 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses with O.R. Procedures with CC, relative weight 1.2942), DRG 819 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses with O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7739), DRG 831 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses without O.R. Procedures with MCC, relative weight 1.1558), DRG 832 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses without O.R. Procedures with CC, relative weight 0.7585) and DRG 833 (Other Antepartum Diagnoses without O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.5002), in MDC 14 (Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific dystocia codes (official index)
- affecting newborn P03.1 — Newborn affected by other malpresentation, malposition and disproportion during labor and delivery
- cervical (hypotonic) O62.2 — Other uterine inertia
- affecting newborn P03.6 — Newborn affected by abnormal uterine contractions
- primary O62.0 — Primary inadequate contractions
- secondary O62.1 — Secondary uterine inertia
- contraction ring O62.4 — Hypertonic, incoordinate, and prolonged uterine contractions
- fetal O66.9 — Obstructed labor, unspecified
- abnormality NEC O66.3 — Obstructed labor due to other abnormalities of fetus
- conjoined twins O66.3 — Obstructed labor due to other abnormalities of fetus
- oversize O66.2 — Obstructed labor due to unusually large fetus
- maternal O66.9 — Obstructed labor, unspecified
- positional O64.9 — Obstructed labor due to malposition and malpresentation, unspecified
- shoulder (girdle) O66.0 — Obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia
- causing obstructed labor O66.0 — Obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia
- uterine NEC O62.4 — Hypertonic, incoordinate, and prolonged uterine contractions
Common questions about dystocia ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for dystocia?
- O66.9 — Obstructed labor, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: P03.1, O62.2, P03.6, O62.0 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for cervical dystocia?
- O62.2 — Other uterine inertia.
What is the ICD-10 code for contraction ring dystocia?
- O62.4 — Hypertonic, incoordinate, and prolonged uterine contractions.
What is the ICD-10 code for fetal dystocia?
- O66.9 — Obstructed labor, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for maternal dystocia?
- O66.9 — Obstructed labor, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for positional dystocia?
- O64.9 — Obstructed labor due to malposition and malpresentation, unspecified (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for shoulder dystocia?
- O66.0 — Obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia.
Is O66.9 billable?
- Yes. O66.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can O66.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict O66.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is O66.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. O66.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.