Alternatives to bishop score to predict successful induction of labour

The ultimate goal of antenatal and intranatal care is to have not only a healthy mother and a healthy baby, but also to achieve a successful vaginal delivery, keeping in mind the rising rates of caesarean deliveries. Though the aim is to achieve spontaneous vaginal delivery, many times labour has to be induced for various maternal and fetal indications. It has been stated that nearly about 13-20% term patients requires induction of labour (IOL) (Maslow and Sweeny, 2000). Recently intrapartum ultrasound examinations has been gaining popularity to assess not only labour mechanics, and also for assessing cervical findings for prediction of successful induction. Bishop’s score obtained from pervaginal examination is considered as a tool to predict successful vaginal delivery. However, it is subjective and has significant inter observer variation. Ultrasound examinations are found to be superior to digital pelvic examination to determine fetal head position and station. Thus ultrasound can help the obstetricians in a significant way to counsel the patients before induction of labour and explain them the probability of successful induction.