Hi, I’m still an entry level coder, have not yet mastered the 2017 guidelines, and trying to adapt to the 2018 updated guidelines in chapter 15.

My main struggle has been and still is, "Labor pains" as stated in patients reason for admission.

My understanding for 2018 guidelines, Chapter 15-b-4 When a delivery occurs, "the condition that prompted the admissions should be sequenced as the principal diagnosis."

If "strong labor pains" or "labor pains" was stated, how do I code for that? I must be overlooking something because I searched the index under Pain, Labor, and Contractions, and haven’t not found one that I’m comfortable with.

Has anyone encountered this?

Already in desperate mode.

Thank you in advance.