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Bishop's Score

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The Bishops Score generally follows this scale:

Score	Dilatation	Effacement	Station	Position	Consistency
0	cosed	0-30%	-3	posterior	firm
1	1-2cm	40-50%	-2	mid-line	moderately firm
2	3-4cm	60-70%	-1,0	anterior	soft (ripe)
3	5+ cm	80+%	+1, +2

Preeclampsia and each prior vaginal delivery also add one point each.

A point is subtracted from for:
Postdate pregnancy
Nulliparity (no prior births)
Premature or prolonged rupture of membranes (breaking of water)

Interpretation

cesarean rates:        first time mothers      women with past vaginal deliveries

scores of   0 – 3:           45%                           7.7%
scores of   4 - 6:           10%                           3.9%
scores of  7 - 10:           1.4%                           .9%

Induction is generally attempted when a mother has a favorable Bishop's score.  A score of five or less is said to be "unfavorable." If induction is indicated, the mother would be a candidate for a cervical ripening agent. These are usually introduced one or two nights before the planned induction.  A score of eight or nine would indicate that the cervix was very ripe and induction would have a high probability of being successful.

Your care provider can assist you in understanding and interpreting your Bishop's Score.