Scoring
Each components is given a score of 0-2 or 0-3. The highest possible score is 13.
| Parameter\Score | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Posterior | Intermediate | Anterior | - | The position of the cervix varies between individual women. As the anatomical location of the vagina is actually downward facing, anterior and posterior locations relatively describe the upper and lower borders of the vagina. The anterior position is better aligned with the uterus, and therefore there is an increased likelihood of spontaneous delivery. |
| Consistency | Firm | Intermediate | Soft | - | In primigravid women the cervix is typically tougher and resistant to stretching, much like a balloon that has not been previously inflated. Furthermore, in young women the cervix is more resilient than in older women. With subsequent vaginal deliveries the cervix becomes less rigid and allows for easier dilation at term. |
| Effacement | 0-30% | 31-50% | 51-80% | >80% | Effacement is a measure of stretch already present in the cervix. It is analogous to stretching a rubber band; as the rubber band is stretched further, it becomes thinner. This is affected by individual variation and previous surgery such as loop excision for cervical dysplasia or cancer. |
| Dilation | 0 cm | 1–2 cm | 3–4 cm | >5 cm | Dilation is a measure of the diameter of the stretched cervix. It complements effacement, and is usually the most important indicator of progression through the first stage of labour. |
| Fetal station | -3 | -2 | -1, 0 | +1, +2 | Fetal station describes the position in of the fetus' head in relation to the distance from the ischial spines, which can be palpated deep inside the posterior vagina (approximately 8–10 cm) as a bony protrusion. Negative numbers indicate that the head is further inside, above the ischial spines. |
Read more about this topic: Bishop Score