Modified Bishop Score for Cervical Ripeness
Cervical readiness for induction scored with Bishop's five items (dilatation, effacement, station, consistency, position; 0–13). Modified Bishop scores replace effacement with cervical length or add obstetric adjustments and are scored differently. NICE NG207: 6 or less → ripening; more than 6 → amniotomy and oxytocin.
Score interpretation
Bishop score 6 or less: unfavourable cervix (NICE NG207).
→ Induce with vaginal dinoprostone or low-dose oral misoprostol, or consider a mechanical method (balloon catheter); reassess the Bishop score.
Bishop score more than 6 (NICE NG207); below the score of 8 that generally indicates a ripe cervix.
→ Amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin infusion (NICE NG207).
Bishop score 8 or more: the cervix is ready; high chance of successful induction.
→ Amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin infusion (NICE NG207).
Interpretation bands for the Modified Bishop Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Bishop EH. Pelvic scoring for elective induction. Obstet Gynecol. 1964;24:266–268.
- NICE NG207. Inducing labour. 2021.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Dinoprostone (Cervical Ripening / Induction of Labour) · Prostaglandin E2 (Cervical Ripening / Induction of Labour)
- Propofol · Anaesthetic (IV Induction / Sedation)
- Thiopental Sodium · Barbiturate Induction Agent
- Etomidate · Imidazole Induction Agent
- Hydrocortisone (Oral Replacement) · Glucocorticoid Replacement
- Clomifene Citrate · Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) / Ovulation Induction Agent
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.