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
- Add 1 point to score for:
- Preeclampsia
- Each prior vaginal delivery
- Subtract 1 point from score for:
- Postdates pregnancy
- Nulliparity
- Premature or prolonged rupture of membranes
Interpretation
- Indications for Cervical
Ripening with prostaglandins
- Bishop Score <5
- Membranes intact
- No regular contractions
- Indications for Labor
Induction with pitocin
- Bishop Score >= 5
- 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.
|