As Audax says, there are actually increased risks of older mothers having sleeping babies so his concern is not completely unjustified.

Having said that, I had DD1 at 37, DD2 at 38 and am almost 42 for this baby. I was induced with DD1 due to my blood pressure but DD2 was 9 days overdue with absolutely not discussion of induction. The only talk of induction this time - and that "induction" is going no further than rupturing membranes - has been because I'm concerned about not getting to the hospital on time and giving birth in the car. At no stage has my OB suggested that because of my age I should not go overdue.

Speak to your OB and voice your concerns. If you do go ahead with the induction, then all I can say is that mine was long and very drawn out. I chose the speed at which things progressed, and you should too. I wanted to give my baby every chance of being born with minimal intervention. You need to keep moving as much as you can, tell them you want cordless monitoring that allows you to stay on your feet moving, in the shower etc. If that's not possible (and I don't know why it wouldn't be), then tell them you will not submit to constant monitoring but will return to your bed every X minutes for checking but in the meantime you will remain mobile. You can choose the speed of your drip. You can choose how long you wait for that drip to be inserted from insertion of gels and membrane rupturing. Even if you go ahead with the induction, YOU are still in control.

I agree with your sentiments 100%. I will do anything and have any level of intervention that my OB tells me is medically required for the health and safety of me and/or my baby but having had an induction and a natural, drug free birth I would strongly suggest you try to avoid an induction if you can.

Good luck.