When is ICD-10 code O74 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code O74 when recording complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code O74 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code O74: Complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery

Name: ICD-10 Code O74: Complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:28:26.864Z

O74 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

15Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)

block

O60-O77Complications of labor and delivery

currentO60-O77

Official coding notes

Includes

maternal complications arising from the administration of a general, regional or local anesthetic, analgesic or other sedation during labor and delivery

Applicable to

code, if applicable, to identify specific complication

Use additional code

code, if applicable, to identify specific complication

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

ObstetricianGynecologistGastroenterologist

Sibling codes

O60Preterm labor O61Failed induction of labor O62Abnormalities of forces of labor O63Long labor O64Obstructed labor due to malposition and malpresentation of fetus O65Obstructed labor due to maternal pelvic abnormality O66Other obstructed labor O67Labor and delivery complicated by intrapartum hemorrhage, not elsewhere classified O68Labor and delivery complicated by abnormality of fetal acid-base balancebillable O69Labor and delivery complicated by umbilical cord complications O70Perineal laceration during delivery O71Other obstetric trauma O72Postpartum hemorrhage O73Retained placenta and membranes, without hemorrhage O75Other complications of labor and delivery, not elsewhere classified O76Abnormality in fetal heart rate and rhythm complicating labor and deliverybillable O77Other fetal stress complicating labor and delivery

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

O74

Replacement codes

O74.0 — Aspiration pneumonitis due to anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.1 — Other pulmonary complications of anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.2 — Cardiac complications of anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.3 — Central nervous system complications of anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.4 — Toxic reaction to local anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.5 — Spinal and epidural anesthesia-induced headache during labor and deliveryO74.6 — Other complications of spinal and epidural anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.7 — Failed or difficult intubation for anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.8 — Other complications of anesthesia during labor and deliveryO74.9 — Complication of anesthesia during labor and delivery, unspecified

Common synonyms

Complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.