None of the home remedies work (and the raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic to help the 2nd stage of labour). They categorically do not work. There's no harm in trying them because nothing terrible will happen but to take pineapple for example. The reason the myth grew up is that there's an enzyme in it which is also associated with the start of labour. But to replicate it, you'd need to eat 8 whole pineapples in one go, including the leaves and skin. You physically can't do it.
What worries me about all the myths is that why they won't harm you or your baby (except for things like castor oil perhaps), they won't work and might just make you feel demoralised and tired. Have sex and go on long walks and eat curry if you want. But don't force yourself to have sex you don't want, walk when you have spd or are in pain or eat a curry which will only give you indigestion and aggravate your haemorrhoids.
A normal pregnancy is 37-42 weeks and I know we have the arbitrary 40 week 'due date' to arrange care around but people become really sensitive about it. The pressure as soon as you hit 40 weeks is unwarranted and upsetting. Everybody is suddenly on your case when you're not even overdue and it's none of their business.
You can't influence the onset of labour because a baby comes when it's ready, as it should do. But I do think we could do more to encourage woman to feel confident in their bodies knowing what they should be doing instead of feeling they're late or failing or doing nothing. They're doing loads and loads and loads. They might not be labouring but the baby's not ready yet. Instead your body is finishing off the last bits, keeping the baby safe and protected until it's time.
A sweep will only work if labour was just about to start anyway. I think it has its place but if you are well and the baby is well, it might be worth thinking about why you'd need a sweep right now anyway? Of course if there are concerns and it is preferential that labour starts sooner, there is the option of a second sweep before they look at other options such as chemical induction.
The end bit is tough, particularly with well meaning friends and relatives making you feel like a ticking time bomb but really if you can find a way to enjoy these last days, then you should. And you should do what YOU want, not what you think will start labour, because nothing will. If you want to wallow and eat crisps, do it. It really won't be long, your baby is happy and safe inside you and your body is still doing incredible things even if you can't measure it against a scale of what happens during childbirth. Oxytocin does help. It helps you feel happy. And if you find it in the bottom of a cake or the bath, then so be it.
Good luck and tell people who ask for updates to bog off.