Op I have been in the position of declining induction. All my babies turned up 42 weeks and ds3 was either 18 or 21 days late depending on dates, the Dr's couldn't agree.
I opted to have expectant management with monitoring and also scans to check on fluid levels, placental function and blood flow, spoke to Dr's and midwives and made an informed choice to wait a bit longer. Helped by the fact that my babies were very active so no concerns at all over movement, apart from with no 5 anterior placenta meant I didn't feel movement as much and other issues made me feel it was best to get baby out at term plus ten.
None of my babies looked overdue at birth and midwives said placenta was fine each time,babies were vernixy, not dry skinned. Etc. For whatever reason I go slightly longer than usual.
There is not as much info on post 42wks as so few women go thst long, hospitals vary sone induce at term plus ten, some at plus twelve and some at plus fourteen days. My hospital changed their policy inbtween two of my children. It was quite funny that with one I was told I was irresponsible for wanting to go past ten days and yet by the next baby their own policy was term plus fourteen...
Op it would be helpful if you could clarify whether it was a declaration,babies heartbeat goes up when moving, was it an issue with moniter? Where they happy with the monitoring after that?
Also even if induced you can still have an active labour, with Ds4 I got fed up with waiting at term plus fifteen, came in they broke my waters and an hour later he was born in birth pool. All of mine have been active, mobile labour's even with dd where I needed continual monitoring. I explained what I needed and worked with the midwife to stay mobile. There are wireless monitors for example in some hospitals.
I know somwtimes consultants/Dr's do go down the if you don't so this the baby will due route, I had it written in big letters on my notes thst I had declined induction. That's fine.
The Dr's don't always follow best practice or offer individualised care, I have had Dr's arguing at the end of my bed infront of me about what they thought was best.
When preg with dd one Dr looking at scan notes saying she would be 9lb, then looking at me and saying I would need a c section as I was too small to deliver thst big a baby... Had he read my notes he would have seen I had already had natural birth for three babies over 9lb and one of almost 11lb born into a pool easily... I pointed this out and he still tried to insist I couldn't birth a big baby.
This time at my twelve week booking app and scan they offered to book me in for induction at 37 wks just because I have had big babies, I declined and said I will wait and see how I and baby are. I have extra scans at 28, 32 and 34 weeks to check on size etc. Am happy with this esp as extra scans in third trimester are shown to reduce stillbirth rate. Some trusts, Essex I think have just brought in a third trimester scan as standard to try and help lower still birth rate
Sadly too many babies are stillborn and in the main we don't know why. Statistically highest levels of stillbirth are at 37-38wks but we don't induce all women before then to reduce thst. It is about balancing risks and those risks will vary for each woman and each woman will and is entitled to make different choices. Harassing a woman because you may make a different choice yourself isn't helpful.
Induction does bring risks, including death of baby or mother. Rare but it happens, c section has risks and vaginally birth has risks, it will never be a risk free process. Each woman in conjunction with her hcp needs to make an informed choice, and we will all make different choices, thst is fine but dialogue between patient and hcp needs to be respectful, I have had some brilliant hcp and others who were not so great. Of course pregnancy is an emotional time, the op needs supporting so she can gain trust in those looking after her and her baby.
Please op call and speak to supervisor of midwives, arrange a scan/monitoring so you can make an informed choice. Always try and keep an open mind, I make an optimal birth plan and a if this happens one... I go through it all with those in charge of my care. So that I know if X happens ie meconium in waters then yes I will have continuous monitoring bit rather than laying down I need to kneel up or sit on birth ball etc. Work with the hcps they will do this, sometimes you do have to stand your ground a bit, when I had ds3 the labour ward was quiet, the Dr saw how overdue ds3 was and was horrified, wanted me on my back k on moniter. I questioned why when the traces we had done and intermittent monitoring showed he was fine. My very young midwife went and fetched the midwife in charge who came checked me over, checked baby over and told the Dr we would call him if needed. Ds3 was born not long after as I knelt on the bed. There was no reason for concern but the head midwife said the Dr basically wasn't busy, I was the most unusual case being so overdue and he probable did have concerns because it is unusual but actually observations of myself and baby showed there was no need.
It is hard for the Dr's and of course they err on the side of caution at times. But you can work with them.