The Bishop score is a basic assessment tool—your practitioner will use it to calculate how ready your cervix is for labour induction. Would you like to know more? Check the full article on Bishop score. But for now let´s take a look at how the whole process may go in real life.
Please note: The situation below is a theoretical example. Each process is unique, and practices vary among states and even hospitals. Your experience may be different.
Bishop score in real life
A first-time mum, overdue by 10 days, needs to have labour induction. Today, her cervix measures at 1 cm but is still posterior, 0% effaced, and firm. The baby is at -3 station. With a Bishop score of 1, her practitioner inserts DILAPAN-S rods in her cervix to start the cervical ripening.
After her appointment, the mum enjoys lunch with some friends before returning home for an afternoon nap. Later, after dinner, she takes an evening walk. Following her practitioner’s advice, she plans to head to the hospital around 11 p.m. for a re-evaluation.
Upon her arrival, the DILAPAN-S rods are removed. To her excitement, she discovers that she is now: 3 cm dilated, 40% effaced, and with a medium softness—however, the cervix is still posterior and the baby is -3 station. This gives her a Bishop score of 4, which is a great progress! But she needs just a little more time.
After a chat with her practitioner, they agree to proceed with another round of DILAPAN-S.
After the rods are inserted, she takes a shower and settles in for a well-deserved night’s rest before the morning reassessment of her cervix. Throughout the night, she was able to rest on and off with some mild cramps and a little bit of bloody show.
When her practitioner checks her cervix in the morning, they find that she is now: 4 cm, 50% effaced, the cervix is soft, in the middle position and the baby has descended to -1 station.
With a Bishop score of 8, her body is ready to start the induction and continue the journey towards a natural birth.
Monica Myron
– certified registered nurse
