Bishop Score

Bishop Score or Pelvic Score is a pre-labor scoring system to assist in predicting whether induction of labor will be necessary. It has also been used to assess the likelihood of spontaneous preterm delivery. The Bishop Score is calculated based on five parameters: cervical dilation, cervical effacement, cervical consistency, cervical position, and fetal station.

Overview

The Bishop Score was first introduced by Dr. Edward Bishop in 1964. It is a method of assessing the readiness of the cervix for labor and childbirth. The score is calculated by assessing five characteristics of the cervix and the fetus's position. Each characteristic is given a score of 0 to 3, and the scores are then added together to give a total score out of 13.

Scoring System

The five parameters of the Bishop Score are:

• Cervical Dilation: The opening of the cervix, measured in centimeters. A score of 0 indicates no dilation, 1 indicates 1-2 cm, 2 indicates 3-4 cm, and 3 indicates 5 cm or more.
• Cervical Effacement: The thinning of the cervix, expressed as a percentage. A score of 0 indicates 0-30% effaced, 1 indicates 40-50%, 2 indicates 60-70%, and 3 indicates 80% or more.
• Cervical Consistency: The softness of the cervix. A score of 0 indicates a firm cervix, 1 indicates medium consistency, and 2 indicates a soft cervix.
• Cervical Position: The position of the cervix in the vagina. A score of 0 indicates a posterior position, 1 indicates mid-position, and 2 indicates an anterior position.
• Fetal Station: The position of the fetus's head in relation to the ischial spines of the pelvis. A score of 0 indicates the head is above the spines, 1 indicates it is at the level of the spines, 2 indicates it is below the spines.

Interpretation

A Bishop Score of 8 or more is generally considered favorable for vaginal delivery. A score of less than 6 is considered unfavorable, and induction of labor may be necessary. However, the interpretation of the score can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each patient.

See Also

• Labor (childbirth)
• Cervix
• Induction of labor