I don't believe anything works unless babe is ready. I have read a study on the consumption of fresh dates from 34 or 36 weeks can prevent the need for induction.... I'll see if I can find the study.

It's from 36 weeks, 6 dates per day

http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280989
That's awesome! Fairly small sample size but enough to make me think about eating some dates in a few weeks LOL