Shock during or following labor and delivery

This code signifies a state of acute circulatory failure occurring during or immediately after the process of childbirth. It encompasses various etiologies of shock, such as hypovolemic, septic, or cardiogenic, specifically when the onset is peripartum. The patient exhibits signs of inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of shock with an onset during labor, delivery, or the immediate postpartum period. Supporting documentation should detail the signs and symptoms of shock (e.g., hypotension, tachycardia, altered mental status) and the temporal relationship to the delivery event.

• Always code the specific type of shock (e.g., T78.2- for anaphylactic shock, R57.1 for hypovolemic shock) as a secondary diagnosis, if known.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "during or following labor and delivery" to differentiate from shock occurring at other times.
• Do not use this code if the shock is a direct result of anesthesia; instead, refer to codes in the T88 category.