Louise 
What is a Bishop Score?
If you’re close to your due date and your midwife has mentioned your Bishop Score, you might be wondering—what actually is it, and why does it matter?
Simply put, this assessment is a way to check how ready your cervix is for labour. It helps midwives and doctors decide whether your body might go into labour on its own. Additionally, it helps determine if an induction is likely to be needed.
So, let’s break it down in simple, practical terms—what the Bishop Score is, how it’s measured, and what it means for your birth plan.
What Is a Bishop Score?
The Bishop Score is a system used to assess how ready your cervix is for labour. It looks at five key things:
✅ Dilation – How open your cervix is (measured in centimetres).
✅ Effacement – How much your cervix has thinned. Usually described as long, partially effaced, or fully effaced.
✅ Consistency – Whether the cervix feels firm, medium, or soft.
✅ Position – Whether the cervix is still positioned towards the back (posterior), mid, or forward (anterior).
✅ Fetal station – How low the baby’s head is in the pelvis.
Each of these gets a score between 0 and 3. When you add them up, you get a total of between 0 and 13.
What Does Your Bishop Score Mean?
📌 Score of 5 or less → Your cervix isn’t ready for labour yet. If you’re being induced, you might need extra help (like a pessary or balloon catheter) to soften your cervix first.
📌 Score of 6 to 8 → Your cervix is starting to change. You may still need some support for an induction to work well.
📌 Score of 9 or more → Your cervix is favourable. Your body is likely to go into labour naturally. If you need an induction, it’s more likely to work quickly.
💡 The higher your Bishop Score, the more likely your body is getting ready for labour on its own.
Why Does the Bishop Score Matter?
Your Bishop Score is mainly used when deciding whether induction is needed and how likely it is to work.
✅ If your score is 9 or more, your cervix is soft, open, and ready. Therefore, if you’re induced, it’s more likely to work smoothly.
✅ If your score is 5 or less, your cervix needs more preparation. Thus, an induction might take longer.
💡 But remember—your body doesn’t always follow the numbers! Some women go into labour with a low Bishop Score. Others have a high score but still need some help.
What Do Studies Say About the Bishop Score?
📊 A study published in American Family Physician found that a Bishop Score over 8 means an induction is just as likely to succeed as spontaneous labour.
📊 Research in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine compared the Bishop Score with ultrasound cervical length measurements. It found that both methods help predict how labour will progress. However, the Bishop Score remains a practical and reliable tool.
💡 It’s a helpful guide, but not a crystal ball—labour can still surprise you!
Can You Improve Your Bishop Score?
If you’re waiting for labour or preparing for an induction, there are things you can do to help encourage your cervix to soften naturally:
✅ Walking & Staying Active – Movement helps baby settle lower into the pelvis. This can encourage changes in the cervix.
✅ Sex (if comfortable!) – Semen contains prostaglandins, which help soften the cervix.
✅ Nipple Stimulation – Encourages the release of oxytocin. This can help the cervix prepare for labour.
✅ Pregnancy Yoga & Birth Ball Exercises – Helps baby move into a better position and encourages gentle pressure on the cervix.
💜 Want expert guidance on preparing for an induction?
Our Induction of Labour Class covers everything you need to know about how induction works, what to expect, and ways to make it a more positive experience.
The Bishop Score is a helpful way to check if your cervix is ready for labour. However, it’s not the only factor that determines how birth will go.
💡 If you’ve been told your score is low, don’t panic! There are plenty of ways to support your body naturally. Furthermore, labour can still start spontaneously even if your score isn’t high.
💜 Want to feel more confident about labour and induction?
Join our Induction of Labour Class. There, we cover everything you need to know about the process, ways to make induction more comfortable, and how to feel in control of your birth.
👉 Sign up here: Induction of Labour Class
