CODE 01   Fetal compromise

This includes suspected or actual fetal compromise and intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR).

CODE 04   Lack of progress; less than or equal to 3 cm cervical dilatation

Lack of progress includes slow or no progress.

If there has been an attempted induction of labour and then a lack of progress leading to a caesarean section use Code 13 as the main indication and Code 04 as an additional indication.

CODE 05   Lack of progress in the first stage; 4 cm to less than 10 cm cervical dilatation

Lack of progress includes slow or no progress.

If there has been an attempted induction of labour and then a lack of progress leading to a caesarean section use Code 13 as the main indication and Code 05 as an additional indication.

CODE 06   Lack of progress in the second stage

Lack of progress includes slow or no progress.

CODE 07   Placenta praevia

Record placenta praevia as the indication for caesarean section if there is ultrasound or clinical evidence that the edge of the placenta covers the internal cervical os, or encroaches into the lower segment less than 2 cm away from the internal cervical os.

CODE 08   Placental abruption

Record placental abruption as the indication for caesarean section if there is ultrasound or clinical evidence antenatally of abruption of the placenta prior to onset or during labour.

CODE 09   Vasa praevia

Record vasa praevia as the indication for caesarean section if there is ultrasound or visual evidence of exposed fetal blood vessels running across the fetal membrane below or at the level of the fetal presenting part in the lower segment of the uterus. This code is to be used when the caesarean section is planned or in the case of an emergency when the vessels may have ruptured.

CODE 10   Antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage

Record antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage as the indication for caesarean section if there has been any antenatal or intrapartum vaginal bleeding that leads to the immediate delivery of the baby by caesarean section. This code should only be used as a main indication if a more specific cause of the antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage is not known.

Where there is a vasa praevia and an antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage, Code 09 is to be recorded as the main indication and Code 10 as an additional indication.

CODE 19   Other obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications

Where a woman has a psychopathological indication for caesarean section, e.g. extreme fear of natural childbirth, this code should be used. It is not to be used for psychosocial indications which should be coded under Code 20.

CODE 20   Maternal choice in the absence of any obstetric, medical, surgical, psychological indications

This includes psychosocial indications.