Bishop score - Definition & Explanation for Mothers

Table of Contents

Definition

The Bishop score is a rating system used in obstetrics that helps predict the success of inducing labor. It evaluates five factors, namely, the dilation, effacement, consistency, position of the cervix, and fetal station. A higher score indicates a higher likelihood of successful labor induction.

Key Takeaways

The Bishop Score is a system used to determine the readiness of a woman’s body for labor. It assesses several factors such as dilation, effacement, station, cervical position, and cervical consistency.
A high Bishop Score, generally 8 or above, often means that the body is prepared for labor and that labor induction or augmentation methods are likely to be successful. In contrast, a low Bishop Score may mean labor is not imminent and attempts to induce may not be successful.
The score is named after Dr. Edward Bishop, who introduced it in the 1960s, reflecting its long history as a reliable assessment tool for obstetric care. However, it should not be the sole factor in determining the approach to labor and delivery, as it does not account for maternal or fetal conditions or preferences.

Importance

The Bishop Score is a critical term in motherhood because it helps medical professionals assess the readiness of a woman for labor. Named after Dr.

Edward Bishop, this evaluation system scores five components of a pre-labor examination: cervical dilation, effacement, station of the baby, cervical consistency, and cervical position. Each component has a scoring system, leading to a cumulative score.

A higher Bishop Score usually indicates that a woman’s body is physically prepared for labor and delivery, implying that induction methods such as medications or procedures are more likely to succeed. Conversely, a lower score may suggest that these methods might fail or result in a more challenging and extended labor, carrying potential risks.

Understanding a woman’s Bishop Score helps clinicians decide the most suitable and safest childbirth approach, enhancing mother and baby’s wellbeing.

Explanation

The Bishop score plays a pivotal role in obstetric care, serving as a scale or rating system designed to assess the readiness of a woman’s cervix for labor (a process known as cervical ripeness), and potentially anticipate the success of labor induction. Named after Dr. Edward Bishop who introduced it in the 1960s, the Bishop Score is usually calculated towards the end of a woman’s pregnancy, either when labor does not commence naturally or when medical intervention might be necessary due to a variety of health factors.

Using the Bishop score as a reference, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about the likelihood of a safe, natural birth, or whether interventions such as a cesarean or induced labor are required. The system employs five criteria to calculate a woman’s score: cervical dilation, effacement, consistency, position, and the station of the fetus. Each of these factors is assigned a score from 0-2 or 0-3, which are then added together for a maximum possible score of 13.

A high Bishop score (generally 8 or higher) indicates that the cervix is ripe and labor is likely to progress naturally or respond well to induction. A low score (less than 6), on the other hand, suggests that induction might not lead to a successful vaginal birth. Ultimately, the Bishop score acts as a clinical tool that helps healthcare providers strategize the safest and most effective pathway to delivery for both mother and baby.

Examples of Bishop score

The Bishop Score is a scoring system used to predict the success of inducing labor in pregnant women. Here are three real-world examples of how it may apply:

Example 1: A pregnant woman at 40 weeks of gestation is at her routine checkup. Her healthcare provider assesses several factors including the dilation and effacement of her cervix, the position of the fetus, and the consistency of the cervix. After the evaluation, her Bishop Score is determined to be high, which suggests that labor induction would likely be successful if needed.

Example 2: A pregnant woman is overdue and a decision needs to be made if labor should be induced or if waiting for spontaneous labor is a better option. In this situation, the Bishop Score is used to evaluate the readiness of the woman’s body for labor. If the score is low, it might be decided to wait for labor to occur naturally, whereas a high score might lead the healthcare provider to proceed with labor induction.

Example 3: A woman is experiencing preeclampsia and the doctors decide that the baby needs to be delivered as soon as possible to prevent potential complications. In this case, it becomes important to understand how ready the woman’s body is for labor. The Bishop Score can help guide this decision. A low score may indicate that a cesarean section is the safer option while a high score might suggest that the body is prepared for labor, and inducing labor could be successful.

Bishop Score FAQ Section

What is a Bishop score?

A Bishop score is a system used by medical professionals to predict how likely it is that a pregnant individual will begin labour naturally within a given time period. It measures dilation, effacement, station, position, and consistency of the cervix.

How is the Bishop score calculated?

The Bishop score is calculated by adding points from five different parameters which are dilation, effacement, station, position and consistency. Each parameter ranges from 0-3 or 0-2, hence the maximum score is 13. The higher the Bishop score, the more likely the labor will begin naturally.

What does a high Bishop score mean?

A high Bishop score indicates that the body is well prepared for birth. This generally means a cervical dilation of 3-4cm, a cervix that’s 50-80% effaced (thinned out), the baby at station -1 or something similar.

How should one interpret a low Bishop score?

A low Bishop score means that the cervix is not yet ready for birth. It could mean the cervix is less than 2 cm dilated, less than 50% effaced, and the baby still high in the pelvis. In these cases, induction of labor may be considered.

Can Bishop score predict labor?

Yes, the Bishop score can be a strong predictor of the onset of labor. However, it’s important to remember that it’s just a tool and not definitive. Each individual’s labor and delivery can vary greatly.