How can i encourage my cervix to dilate or atleast efface

I am 35 weeks almost 36, not my first baby. With all my previous pregnancies i went overdue, induced, and even then, was still closed, posterior high cervix that wasnt even 10% effaced! Maybe thats just how my body works BUT is there anything i can do to encourage effacement or dilation? I need to be induced at 38/39 weeks and have been told if i can dilate to a 1-2cm theyre happy to break my water as opposed to using methods such as the foley catheter. I have a bottle of EPO here i haven't yet started and I drink 1 cup of raspberry leaf tea daily. Is there anything i should be doing? A lot of you are stating youre effacing and dilating and im like pooooop why meeeee