About the Bishop Score
The Bishop Score, described by Edward Bishop in 1964, grades how "ripe" or ready the cervix is before an induction of labor. It adds five findings from a vaginal exam into a single number from 0 to 13. A higher score means the cervix is softer, thinner, more open, and better positioned, so labor is more likely to start and progress. This calculator is for educational and informational use; the exam findings and the decision to induce should come from a qualified clinician.
How the score is built
Three components — cervical dilation, effacement, and fetal station — each contribute 0 to 3 points. Two components — cervical consistency and position — each contribute 0 to 2 points. The five parts are simply added, with no weighting, for a maximum of 13:
- 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 (-3 to +3): -3 = 0, -2 = 1, -1 or 0 = 2, +1 or +2 = 3.
- Consistency: firm = 0, medium = 1, soft = 2.
- Position: posterior = 0, mid = 1, anterior = 2.
Interpreting the total
- A total of 8 or higher is generally favorable: the cervix is ripe, and an induction is about as likely to end in vaginal delivery as spontaneous labor would be.
- A total of 6 to 7 is intermediate, and clinicians weigh other factors such as parity and gestational age.
- A total of 5 or lower is unfavorable: an induction is more likely to be prolonged or to fail, so a cervical ripening step is often used first. A score of 6 or less is a common cutoff for considering ripening.
Important disclaimer
This tool does not constitute medical advice and does not replace a clinical exam. Do not use it to diagnose, plan, or manage a pregnancy or induction without consulting a licensed healthcare provider.