I need help inducing labor

I have gestational diabetes and if I don't have the baby naturally by 39 weeks I'll be induced at 40 weeks because of medical reasons. What week can I safely start trying to induce naturally, and what are some things that helped you induce labor. I really don't want the doctors to induce me I rather her come on her own but if I could somehow get her to come safely before my week of being induced I would love that.