Unfortunately our modern obstetric culture has pathologised something perfectly normal: that women gestatations vary, just like women's menstrual cycles vary. Some women have text-book 27 and a half day cycles, but many of us have slightly longer cycles than that - and that's normal.
I have known women to gestate naturally to 42, 43, 44 weeks - and one friend had her VBAC at 45 weeks - and these gestations have resulted in spontaneous start of labour and a normal physiological birth.
The other things is the dating methods used - the Naegels method is pretty out-dated but it's still the one that is used. By the Wood's method, however, which is more tailored and allows for individual variations, you might find that you have a week or a week and a half more than you thought, by the Naegel's dating method.
Even if you're absolutely sure of the dates, variations on length of gestation are perfectly normal. The '10 Month Mama' page on facebook could be a source of support and info.
Some women just gestate longer than others and that's normal. Other times a bub might take a little longer to settle into his or her preferred position for birth. In this case induction won't be helpful because it means the baby has to start labour before they've figured out their optimal positions. I think that walking regularly during pregnancy, and regular care from a Chiro or Osteo to help the pelvis stay aligned and balanced, and possibly Optimal Foetal Positioning, can also help the pelvis and baby be positioned and lined up well - and therefore could potentially remove a reason why a baby stays put longer. (But that's not to say that plenty of perfectly lined up babies in wonderfully symetrical pelvises won't stay comfortably put for 43 weeks or so, because that's just normal for them.) The 'Spinning Babies' website has more info about this.
I hope this helps you feel more positive about being a mama who gestates to 42 weeks or more.
How is the HG treating you this time? Hope you are OK.
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