Bishop score
Obstetrics
Also known as: Bishop-Score · Zervix-Score nach Bishop · Bishop skoru · Bishop score (cervical ripeness before induction of labour)
What it is for
The Bishop score (Bishop 1964) rates how favourable ('ripe') the cervix is before induction of labour, from a vaginal examination of five features; total 0–13.
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Dilation | closed 0; 1–2 cm 1; 3–4 cm 2; 5 cm or more 3. |
| Effacement | 0–30 % 0; 40–50 % 1; 60–70 % 2; 80 % or more 3. |
| Station of the presenting part (cm relative to the ischial spines) | −3: 0; −2: 1; −1 or 0: 2; +1 or +2: 3. |
| Consistency | firm 0; medium (moderately firm) 1; soft 2. |
| Position of the cervix | posterior 0; mid-position 1; anterior 2. |
| Interpretation | a higher total means a more favourable cervix. There is no single universal cut-off: low totals (often 5 or less) describe an unfavourable cervix, high totals (often 8 or more) a favourable one. |
| Modified versions | modified Bishop scores (e.g. Burnett 1966) replace effacement with cervical length or add other items; their totals are not interchangeable with the original. |
Source
- Edition
- Bishop 1964 (original five-item score); modified versions exist
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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