Bishop's Score
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Bishop's Score for Induction

This is the table used to determine how successful an induction of labour might be. It is recommended that the Bishop's Score by greater than 9 for it to be successful.

To ensure your own induction's success rate, inquire about your Bishop's score or better yet learn each part of the score and figure it out for yourself. The unfortunate reality I have seen lately is inductions with scores as low as 2 which makes induction very difficult and success rates low. Induction with low Bishops scores decreases a woman's coping ability with the increased pain of induction and the increased length of labour. This can be combined with AROM (artificial rupture of membranes) to supposedly increase the success rate early in the induction, but in fact this far too often leads to cesarean births as ruptured membranes increases the chance of infection for both mother and baby. Make informed decisions for both you and your baby!

BE INFORMED!

Cervix Score
  0 1 2 3
Position Posterior Midposition Anterior ---
Consistency Firm Medium Soft ---
Effacement (%) 0-30 40-50 60-70 >80
Dilation (cm) Closed 1-2 3-4 >5
Baby's Station -3 -2 -1 +1, +2
 

Modifiers

  1. Add 1 point to score for:
    1. Preeclampsia
    2. Each prior vaginal delivery
  2. Subtract 1 point from score for:
    1. Postdates pregnancy
    2. Nulliparity
    3. Premature or prolonged rupture of membranes

Interpretation

  1. Indications for Cervical Ripening with prostaglandins
    1. Bishop Score <5
    2. Membranes intact
    3. No regular contractions
  2. Indications for Labor Induction with pitocin
    1. Bishop Score >= 5
    2. Rupture of membranes

If you are unsure of any of the terms listed, please inquire with your doctor as to their meaning or look in a good reference book such as Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin et al.

Source: Modified from Romney S et al, editors: Gynecology and Obstetrics: The Health Care of Women, ed 2, New York, 1981, McGraw-Hill.

 
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