jgal,

The risk of still birth does not change until after 42 weeks (EDD+14) and it only becomes statistically significant (i.e. higher than the risk at 38 weeks, which is what is normally considered term) at 43 weeks (EDD+21) at which point the risk is statistically similar to that of a baby born at 37 weeks. The stillbirth risk is related to the age of the placenta and you can be scanned every 3 days once you pass EDD+whenever you're comfortable (i was at EDD+2 when first scanned because my BP was high and they said i had to make sure my placenta was ok to go ahead with the homebirth) to check the placenta is working ok. There is truly NO reason to induce a normal pregnancy before 42weeks.

Also, 48 hours is only the maximum time you can leave someone with broken waters and no contractions IF they are at risk of infection. I have a friend whose waters broke 5 days before her baby was born. She had to have oral antibiotics after 18 hours, but she declined induction. My own sister was born on a Thursday, at 43+2, 5 days after the waters broke. It is not "done" but it isn't necessarily dangerous either. If you decline a medical induction until the Ob can show you something which PROVES your baby is in trouble they will treat you preventatively.

If you look at PROM (preterm rupture of membranes) you can see the possibilities. If you were 22 weeks PG they would give you drugs to prevent labour, put you on antibiotics and make you lie down and drink plenty of water in the hopes that the waters would re-seal or at least that you would keep the baby inside as long as possible. They would do all examinations by scan to avoid infection and not put anything into your vagina. There is no difference in your body or vagina when you are at term - there is nothing inherently more dangerous - Obs just know the baby will be fine out of you so they push to induce. If your membranes rupture you can decline all vaginal exams and take antibiotics if necessary, you don't have to be induced.

Was your baby stressed before the induction was begun? Did he have poor tones before there were contractions? If so it's likely the cord around his neck was stopping him from starting labour (babies are smart and don't put themselves in danger if they can help it) and chances are with a few more days he might have rolled it off or begun to show signs of distress without labour.

If it was the cord and position causing the problem then it's unlikely to happen next time. If it does there are lots of things you can do:

Walk and climb stairs, this nudges the head against the cervix as you climb/stride which will help begin the oxytocin/contraction cycle that begins labour.

Crawl around the floor, this helps bubs use gravity to get into the best possible position for birth which usually lets labour continue sooner rather than later.

Clary sage is a contractant - you can't use it if you have high BP but if your BP is ok a clary sage oil massage can really help get things moving.

Accupunture or accupressure can help too, as can chiropracty on your spine/pelvis if bubs is being troubled by some small anatomical thing inside you.

Massage can make a difference purely because it relaxes you, and oxtocin flows best in a relaxed body.

I think the biggest thing any woman can do is be educated, and trust your baby and body. If everything is fine, your baby KNOWS when the best time to be born is, and if everything is NOT fine, the baby will let you know. It is especially hard after one dificult medicalised experience of birth to have faith that you can do it without having to go through all that again, but you CAN! NO ONE can make you do anything you don't want to. If you are post-dates and baby shows every sign of being perfectly fine, you can know that no matter WHAT the ob/mw/well-meaning relatives say, your baby is just fine where it is. If your membranes rupture but nothing is put into your vagina and you take antibiotics if it's been a long time and continue to have the baby's tones checked to make sure all is well you can know your baby will be fine and begin labour when it is ready.

Best of luck

Bx