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Using a breast pump is the only truly proven method!

I think baby will come when he/she is ready. BUT, when I was 38 weeks, I was ready to try some different things!!

I started pumping at night at 38 weeks. I would get drops, but pumping can release oxytocin, which can increase contractions (or start them). I also did some hand expression of colostrum onto a spoon. I will do this again next time, as I am predisposed to having low supply, and those little drops count.

At 37 weeks, I started acupuncture. Specifically targeting cervical ripening points. I went into labor the day after my appt at 39w 3d, and I really think it helped.

Sex can work. Semen contains chemicals that can soften the cervix, and if it's good sex, you'll have a ton of oxytocin.

Other than that, I don't think any food can really work. Same with castor oil, etc. It's suggested not to do anything crazy like that, because it could cause dehydration if you end up with loose stools or vomiting.

Lastly, I would have considered a membrane sweep, but only after 40 weeks, as there's a risk of rupturing membranes. I wouldn't want to be on antibiotics unless needed, so I would wait as long as possible before that. (Membranes ruptured for more than 24 hours without baby can lead to infection, increasing the chance of cesarean.

I wish I knew. I tried pumping after 38 weeks. My water broke a 40 weeks without labour and I spent all day trying to get into labout on my own. With a combination of blue cohosh, pumping all day and castor oil, it got me started but I ended up having to be induced!

Nipple stimulation either manual or pumping is the only thing with solid proof. Also eating dates (6 a day from 36 weeks) has recently been shown to reduce artificial induction rates, it is a good study but there has only been one done.
No personal experience yet.

I tried everything. EVERYTHING! No castor oil because that's dangerous and can cause meconium but yeah all the other stuff I tried like breast pump and long walks and bouncing and spicy food and sex and eggplant parmesan... It was useless! I was miserable by 39 and a half weeks and didn't deliver till 40 +5 by medically necessary induction. My advice is to physically prepare yourself to go early. Pack your bag and have everything ready. But mentally prepare to go as much as a week or more late. Book some dates and things on your due date and beyond. Especially if you are older because most (not all) older moms go late. I kind of think trying to much to naturally induce just adds to stress or it did in my case. Hang in there.