What is a Bishop's Score?

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to know if labor is close without relying on the “due date”? We all know how vague due dates can be. They even have a new trendy name, Guess Date, because the due dates are just that. That’s how they started and they have never changed.

Not knowing when labor will start is one of the most frustrating things in pregnancy. There is a 6-week gap when baby COULD come at any moment, between 37 and 42 weeks. Nesting has started and maybe gone, you are mostly stuck at home and maybe feeling huge and uncomfortable and just ready for baby to come! I am here to give you a little bit of hope, make sure to ask your provider what your Bishop Score is!

A Bishop Score?! What in the world is that?!

A little bit of history!

Doctor Edward H. Bishop, came up with the score. He also helped study uterine tocolysis and helped develop the Doppler Ultrasound. So he is a big deal in the world of pregnancy. He took three years to research birth and elective inductions, trying to find what factors lead to a successful induction. Inductions were measured by the length of time when the inductions started and the third stage of labor (when the placenta is birthed). He said that the Bishop Score could be used to determine an expected delivery date, helping OBGYNs and midwives determine when the best time is to induce you.

How the score is determined

Station: where the baby is located in/around your pelvis (0-3)

Dilation: how wide is the opening of the cervix (0-6)

Effacement: how thin or thick your cervix is (0-3)

All of these scores can be determined by a vaginal exam. If your score is above a 7 then you are more likely to have a successful induction or go into labor spontaneously soon! Obviously, it isn’t an exact way to measure, but it is something to look into if you are thinking about being induced or want a good guess on when you will go into labor.

Okay, so we are going to switch gears… and talk about natural ways you can induce labor. I have some that are backed by science and some that are considered “Old Wives’ Tales”!!

Having sex! Sex is a great way to get things opening and contracting. There are a lot of endorphins and oxytocin that are released when you are having sex, especially when there is an orgasm. Sperm also have prostaglandins that help to ripen your cervix, along with the rhythm that an orgasm creates helps contractions start in a rhythmic pattern.

Nipple Simulation is also an option, there is a study you can read here about it. Basically, it helps to ripen the cervix, but it takes a lot of time and effort from you and your partner. Definitely worth a shot, especially if you have a “successful” Bishop Score.

Eating six dates a day in the weeks leading up to labor can help spontaneous labor happen.

Walking!! This is the thing that definitely kicked started my labor, but don’t push yourself too hard and listen to your body. It helps move the pelvis around and get baby engaged. You can also do this while you are in labor!

Acupuncture and acupressure! Our bodies are full of nerve endings to help your cervix ripen and contractions start.

Prenatal massage! This sounds amazing! It will help your muscles relax and make more room in the pelvis. It might also help take some of that stress away that could be blocking that oxytocin to get labor started. Go get one and tell me how it goes!

There are some herbs that you can take as well. Red raspberry leaf is supposed to help strengthen your uterus to have more effective contractions. Evening primrose, caster oil, and black cohosh are some other options. Make sure to do your own research, talk to your provider and listen to your intuition.

Spicy food is an option as well. My friend also swore by pineapple! But these aren’t really backed by science or anything but they might be fun to try!

Last but not least! Membrane sweep! This one is controversial on whether it is a “natural” way to induce labor. It can help and you can avoid a C-section if you try it. It is where your OBGYN/midwife will take a finger and separate your amniotic sac from your cervix to help produce prostaglandins. It doesn’t require medication so that is why most people see it as a natural way to induce labor. At the same time, it was a procedure done by your provider and can mess with the timing of when your baby is ready to come. That can be said of anything on this list though. It is up to you, mama!