O64.3 ICD-10-CM Code: Obstructed labor due to brow presentation

7th Character Guide

"One of the following 7th characters is to be assigned to each code under category O64. 7th character 0 is for single gestations and multiple gestations where the fetus is unspecified. 7th characters 1 through 9 are for cases of multiple gestations to identify the fetus for which the code applies. The appropriate code from category O30, Multiple gestation, must also be assigned when assigning a code from category O64 that has a 7th character of 1 through 9."

• 0 — not applicable or unspecified
• 1 — fetus 1
• 2 — fetus 2
• 3 — fetus 3
• 4 — fetus 4
• 5 — fetus 5
• 9 — other fetus

Variant codes in this family

O64.3XX0, O64.3XX1, O64.3XX2, O64.3XX3, O64.3XX4, O64.3XX5, O64.3XX9

Character meanings are CMS's official 7th-character extensions for this family, as carried in each variant code's official description; variant codes are registry rows. The explanation of how the encounter character is assigned is MedCoder editorial, distinct from the official content above it.

Coder workflow for O64.3

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code O64.3

1. O64.3 is not reportable as written. Select the more specific code beneath it that the documentation supports. Codes are reported to the highest level of specificity the classification provides (Guidelines I.B.2).

   ReviewO64.3XX0, O64.3XX1, O64.3XX2, O64.3XX3, O64.3XX4, O64.3XX5, O64.3XX9

   See the relationships section · Guide: How to choose an ICD-10-CM code →

2. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documentation supports the character assigned — its meaning in this family is defined in the official instruction. O64.3 is not valid without one. The official 7th-character definitions for this family are quoted in the guide.

   See the 7th Character Guide

3. O64.3’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).

   Guide: Combination codes →

4. Confirm the condition is documented as complicating the pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium, and check the trimester where the code carries one and the fetus character where the category requires it. Chapter 15 codes belong on the maternal record only and take sequencing priority over codes from other chapters. It is the provider’s responsibility to state that a condition is not affecting the pregnancy; the trimester is assigned from the documentation (Guidelines I.C.15.a, I.C.15.a.1, I.C.15.a.3).

   Guide: How to choose an ICD-10-CM code →

Choose the right path

1. Does the documentation support one of the more specific codes beneath O64.3?
   Yes → Select that code and continue the checks below on its own page.
   No → O64.3 cannot be reported as written; query for the specificity its subcategory needs.

   ReviewO64.3XX0, O64.3XX1, O64.3XX2, O64.3XX3, O64.3XX4, O64.3XX5, O64.3XX9

2. Does the documentation support one of this family’s 7th-character values?
   Yes → Assign the matching 7th character; the variant codes are in the 7th Character Guide.
   No → The code is invalid without its 7th character — query for the missing element.

Consider O64.3. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

7th-character basis

The documented element this family’s 7th character records (see the official definitions in the 7th Character Guide).

Trimester

Assigned from the documented trimester at the encounter, or the trimester in which the condition developed for inpatient stays (Guidelines I.C.15.a.3).

The associated condition or complication

Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Indexed Clinical Terms (1)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

• Delivery (childbirth) (labor), complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, brow presentation

Don’t confuse O64.3 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of O64.3 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• O64.3XX0— Encounter relationship (Review)

  Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

  The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

  What moves you there: Documentation of a not applicable or unspecified moves the case to O64.3XX0.

  Full comparison: O64.3 vs O64.3XX0 →

• O64.3XX1— Encounter relationship (Review)

  Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

  The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

  What moves you there: Documentation of a fetus 1 moves the case to O64.3XX1.

  Full comparison: O64.3 vs O64.3XX1 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Verify Before Coding

• Not billable as written — a more specific code is required: O64.3XX0, O64.3XX1, O64.3XX2, O64.3XX3, O64.3XX4.
• Requires a 7th character. "One of the following 7th characters is to be assigned to each code under category O64. 7th character 0 is for single gestations and multiple gestations where the fetus is unspecified. 7th characters 1 through 9 are for cases of multiple gestations to identify the fetus for which the code applies. The appropriate code from category O30, Multiple gestation, must also be assigned when assigning a code from category O64 that has a 7th character of 1 through 9." Options: O64.3XX0, O64.3XX1, O64.3XX2, O64.3XX3, O64.3XX4, O64.3XX5

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name O64.3 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: O32 — Maternal care for malpresentation of fetus (via O64.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Related Codes

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Delivery”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

O62.1 — Secondary uterine inertia (arrested active phase), O62.2 — Other uterine inertia (cesarean, atony, uterus), O62.3 — Precipitate labor (precipitate), O62.4 — Hypertonic, incoordinate, and prolonged uterine contractions (complicated, by, Bandl's ring), O62.8 — Other abnormalities of forces of labor (complicated, by, abnormal, abnormality, forces of labor, specified type NEC), O62.9 — Abnormality of forces of labor, unspecified (complicated, by, dysfunction, uterus NOS), O63.0 — Prolonged first stage (of labor) (complicated, by, prolonged labor, first stage), O63.1 — Prolonged second stage (of labor) (complicated, by, prolonged labor, second stage), O63.2 — Delayed delivery of second twin, triplet, etc. (delayed NOS, second twin, triplet, etc.), O63.9 — Long labor, unspecified (delayed NOS), O65.0 — Obstructed labor due to deformed pelvis (cesarean, abnormal, pelvis, with obstructed labor), O65.1 — Obstructed labor due to generally contracted pelvis (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, contracted pelvis), O65.2 — Obstructed labor due to pelvic inlet contraction (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, pelvic, contraction, inlet), O65.3 — Obstructed labor due to pelvic outlet and mid-cavity contraction (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, pelvic, contraction, outlet), O65.4 — Obstructed labor due to fetopelvic disproportion, unspecified (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, fetopelvic disproportion), O65.5 — Obstructed labor due to abnormality of maternal pelvic organs (complicated, by, female genital mutilation), O65.8 — Obstructed labor due to other maternal pelvic abnormalities (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, pelvic, abnormality, specified NEC), O65.9 — Obstructed labor due to maternal pelvic abnormality, unspecified (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, pelvic, abnormality), O66.0 — Obstructed labor due to shoulder dystocia (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, dystocia, shoulder), O66.1 — Obstructed labor due to locked twins (complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, locked twins), +170 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of O64.3 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run O64.3 with this related code in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• O00-O9A — Chapter 15: Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium (O00-O9A) (O00-O9A)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O60-O77 — Complications of labor and delivery[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

• O32 — Maternal care for malpresentation of fetus[Excludes1](via O64.-): “malpresentation of fetus with obstructed labor (O64.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Index entries

• Delivery (childbirth) (labor), complicated, by, obstructed labor, due to, brow presentation[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026

Nearest codes (40)

• O64 — Obstructed labor due to malposition and malpresentation of fetus[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.0XX3 — Obstructed labor due to incomplete rotation of fetal head, fetus 3[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.0XX4 — Obstructed labor due to incomplete rotation of fetal head, fetus 4[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.0XX5 — Obstructed labor due to incomplete rotation of fetal head, fetus 5[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.0XX9 — Obstructed labor due to incomplete rotation of fetal head, other fetus[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.1 — Obstructed labor due to breech presentation[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.1XX0 — Obstructed labor due to breech presentation, not applicable or unspecified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• O64.1XX1 — Obstructed labor due to breech presentation, fetus 1[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 32 more

Change history

• FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Common coding questions

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to O64.3 in its code family, with their registry titles.

• O64.2XX2 — Obstructed labor due to face presentation, fetus 2
• O64.2XX3 — Obstructed labor due to face presentation, fetus 3
• O64.2XX4 — Obstructed labor due to face presentation, fetus 4
• O64.2XX5 — Obstructed labor due to face presentation, fetus 5
• O64.2XX9 — Obstructed labor due to face presentation, other fetus
• O64.3XX0 — Obstructed labor due to brow presentation, not applicable or unspecified
• O64.3XX1 — Obstructed labor due to brow presentation, fetus 1
• O64.3XX2 — Obstructed labor due to brow presentation, fetus 2
• O64.3XX3 — Obstructed labor due to brow presentation, fetus 3
• O64.3XX4 — Obstructed labor due to brow presentation, fetus 4

View all codes in the O64 family