If your care provider suggests an induction, the first step is to - TopicsExpress

If your care provider suggests an induction, the first step is to determine if it truly is necessary for the health of you and/or your baby. While the practice of induction is common in the U.S. medical establishment, research shows that it is not always necessary (as in the case for a suspected large baby). When discussing induction with your care provider, one of the first questions to ask is, What is my Bishops Score?. The Bishops Score is a set of scores, ranging from 0-13, given before a woman is in labor to assess her likelihood of success with labor induction. The Bishops Score looks at the following parameters: the babys position and station, and the consistency, effacement and dilation of a womans cervix. Additional points are given or subtracted for preeclampsia, prior vaginal deliveries, a pregnancy that is postdates, fist-time pregnancy and early or prolonged rupture of membranes. The higher the score, the more favorable a womans body is for induction and less likely that birth will end in cesarean surgery. A score of 5 or less generally indicates that induction is unlikely to be successful. Find out your Bishops Score using the standard scoring chart (here is the link to a online calculator babymed/tools/bishop-score-induction-calculator). Discuss the score with your care provider and ask about your options. If your score is low, ask about the risks of waiting for your body to become more favorable for induction or for labor to start on its own. If your care provider insists on inducing, consider seeking a second professional opinion.