If you're thinking about inducing labor, or perhaps your OB has suggested induction, the first thing you may want to ask is, "What is my Bishop score?". I had never heard of this until maybe two or three years ago. I certainly didn't know what a Bishop score was when I had my first child at Baylor Grapevine almost 5 years ago. Basically, the higher the Bishop score, the more likely an induction were to be "successful". The lower the score, the less likelihood of your induction being successful. Scores range from 0 to 13 points.

So, let's break it down.

According to perinatology.com, the Bishop score is also sometimes known as a Pelvic Score. It is a mathematical way to estimate how "ready" your cervix is for induction. This is determined by a vaginal exam in your doctor's office. You can google various online calculators if you wish.

1. Dilation
0-3 points are awarded based on how dilated, or open, your cervix already is. Pregnant women are normally 0 centimeters dilated prior to labor, and by the time they are about ready to push, their cervix is completely dilated to 10 centimeters.

2. Effacement
Effacement refers to how thin your cervix is. This is measured in a guesstimate of percentages, 0% meaning a thick cervix and 100% meaning paper thin. 0-3 points are given, the more points for a higher percentage of effacement.

3. Station
This is a term for how high (or low) your baby is in your pelvis. The higher up your baby is, the lower the Bishop points. If your baby is at a very low station, your OB may say "plus one or plus two", you'd get a maximum of 3 points.

4. Consistency
A firm cervix feels rubbery and hard, and may not be quite ready for induction. It would get 0 points. A soft, "mushy" cervix earns you 2 Bishop points. A medium cervix is somewhere between firm and soft and gets 1 point. 

5. Position
Baby's position in the pelvis can make a night or day difference in your labor and birth outcome. But for a Bishop score purpose, your OB will want to determine the position of your cervix. A posterior cervix gets 0 points, but an anterior (meaning "towards the front") cervix gets 3.

No matter the reason for your labor induction, it is wise to have all the information upfront. However, if you are experiencing high blood pressure, preeclampsia, cholestasis of pregnancy or certain other conditions, an induction may still be necessary for a healthy mom and healthy baby. But if you are a few days past your due date with a low (less than 5 point) Bishop score and a healthy pregnancy, if may be worthwhile to ask your care provider to postpone your induction until your body is ready, or you go into labor on your own. 

-Bethany

Birth With Bethany provides Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes, certified car seat checks and placenta encapsulation to families in the Flower Mound, Lewisville, Denton, Argyle, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco, Southlake, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Coppell, Carrollton and Grapevine areas. 

This post contains affiliate links.

Many of my clients use disposable diapers, at least some of the time! Here are my top 5 accessories you may want to register for when preparing to fill your changing table drawers.

Coconut oil is pretty much good for all. the. things. Dry skin? Coconut oil. Diaper rash? Coconut oil. Brittle hair? Coconut oil. Sore nipples? Coconut oil. Flat tire? Coconut oil. (Kidding!)

I never used a Diaper Genie, but let me tell you, these Febreze-enhanced trash bags are a must-have for any home that includes a newborn. Or infants. Or toddlers. Or people.

Dads deserve a diaper bag too! This stylish backpack has every compartment and pocket you'd ever want.

How cute is this??!! A diaper caddy is super useful to keep on the changing table and to grab and go for when diapers need changing elsewhere. Stick a few diapers, a package of wipes and some ointment in there and you're good to go. You'll be surprised at the random places you wind up changing diapers!

This diaper ointment is vegan, toxin-free, dermatologist tested. Yes, please!

​-Bethany

Birth With Bethany provides Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes, doula support, certified car seat checks and placenta encapsulation to families in the Flower Mound, Lewisville, Denton, Argyle, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco, Southlake, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Coppell, Carrollton and Grapevine areas. 

I admin a facebook group, "Pregnant In Denton" for women who are currently pregnant or trying to conceive in the Denton County Texas area. One of the most frequent discussions center around knowing the difference between pre-labor, warm-up, Braxton Hicks types of contractions versus OMG THIS IS IT, productive labor that leads to a baby. 

There are five things I suggest to all of my doula clients and students to do in order to tell if their contractions are warm up, or the real deal.

1. Walk
Go for a power walk. Browse Target. Go check the mail. (This can speed up labor, if it stalls out, too!) 

2. Eat
You wouldn't run a marathon without a super healthy breakfast, right? Birth is a marathon, in every way. Fuel your body to prepare for the toughest thing it'll ever do.

3. Drink
Similarly to why I encourage food, drinking helps your body deliver all those good nutrients to your organs and your baby. Dehydration can cause your uterus to be irritable, which leads to cramping, not productive contractions.

4. Shower or Bath
Midwives call laboring in a tub an "aqua-dural" for its epidural-like pain relief. Warm water is relaxing, allowing your body to either stop cramping, or relax enough so that true contractions can do their job to dilate your cervix quickly and evenly.

5. NAP. SLEEP. SIESTA. REST.
This is the most important one. If you can sleep, do it!!! Talk to your midwife or OB if you're having difficulty sleeping. But if you think you may be in labor, take a nap. There's no way to tell how long you'll be in labor, so getting as much rest as possible during early labor is crucial. If you knew you'd be awake for the next 24 hours straight, you'd probably want to take a nap now! 

If you think you are in labor, complete items 1-5. If your contractions continue even after eating, drinking, walking, bathing and sleeping; congratulations! You're probably in labor! If not, try to enjoy these last few days of pregnancy by pampering yourself and getting plenty of rest and fluids. As always, when in doubt, call your care provider.

-Bethany

Birth With Bethany provides Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes, certified car seat checks and placenta encapsulation to families in the Flower Mound, Lewisville, Denton, Argyle, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco, Southlake, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Coppell, Carrollton and Grapevine areas. ​

This is a quick and healthy meal for busy weeknights! Makes a perfect postpartum meal or a simple and nutritious pregnancy dinner. 

​First, cut up 4 chicken breasts into large bite size pieces. 

Toss the chicken into a large skillet with a drizzle of EVOO and a Swanson Flavor Boost packet (optional). Cook on medium until chicken is about halfway done. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Slice up 1-2 fresh zucchinis and 1-2 yellow squash, add to the pan. Continue cooking on medium. 

Lastly, add a handful or two of cherry or grape tomatoes and cover for about 5 minutes.

Congratulations!! You’re going to meet your baby soon!
​
I wanted to follow up my blog on packing for a cesarean birth (read that here). Here are some of my top picks when choosing what to pack in your hospital bag when you’re planning a vaginal birth. 

This healing spray contains a hint of peppermint that provides soothing, cooling relief to your tender ladybits.

I know it says that they're for hemorrhoids, but the witch hazel is so good for healing after a vaginal birth! Most hospitals (Denton Presby, for example) will give you a small package of Tucks Pads during your stay, so it's a good idea to have some ready at home as well. 

Ladies, do not, I repeat: do NOT wipe for 4-6 weeks. Fill this bottle with warm water and gently spray yourself after using the restroom. Get 2; one for your home and one for your diaper bag. Inevitably, you'll find yourself needing to go to the bathroom at your baby's first pediatrician appointment and it's either this, or the awful sandpaper-like toilet paper they stock in the doctor's office! Trust me on this one.

All of the hospitals I've attended births at as a doula so far have large fitness balls. These are priceless during labor, both at home and at your birth center or hospital. I recommend all of my Bradley Method students purchase one and bring it to class each week. During pregnancy, I advise you to sit on a large yoga ball so that your knees are at a 90 degree angle. Move your hips in a figure 8 or pelvic tucking motion to help stretch ligaments and encourage good positioning for baby. During labor, you can utilize the ball in the same way, and even lean over the ball in bed to relieve back labor. So incredibly versatile!!

What would you add to the list?

-Bethany

Birth With Bethany provides Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes, doula support, certified car seat checks and placenta encapsulation to families in the Flower Mound, Lewisville, Denton, Argyle, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Frisco, Southlake, Trophy Club, Colleyville, Coppell, Carrollton and Grapevine areas. ​