Hey there, WNC mamas and families! As a Christian doula and Lamaze educator serving our mountain communities, I know the word ‘induction’ can sound a bit *labor-ious*—maybe even a little scary. (Why did the mama fear induction? Because she didn’t want to *push* her luck!) But here’s the good news: with the right info and a sprinkle of faith, you can feel empowered, not overwhelmed. In this post, I’ll break down the Bishop Score—what it is, why it matters, and how to naturally prepare your body for labor or induction. Let’s trust God’s timing (Jeremiah 1:5—‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you’) and get ready for a *womb-derful* journey!
A Little Bishop Score History
Back in 1964, Dr. Edward Bishop, a rockstar OB-GYN in America, set out to make inductions easier for mamas like you. He studied 500 women needing inductions and created a system called "Pelvic Scoring for Elective Induction"—what we now call the Bishop Score. Before his work, inductions were a bit of a guessing game, based on a provider’s gut feeling. Dr. Bishop gave us a clear, standard way to measure cervical readiness, reducing unnecessary interventions and boosting vaginal birth success. (Talk about a *score* for mamas!) In 1974, Dr. Calder simplified the scoring system by tweaking the point ranges, making it easier for providers to use in busy hospitals—because who doesn’t love a *bishop* of clarity?
What’s the Bishop Score Measuring?