I did natal hypnotherapy, so I don't know how similar hypnobabies is to what I did. My husband and I did take the course together, but honestly, it wasn't anything that wasn't in the book and the main thing is just practice. My husband didn't do anything during the actual birth in relation to helping me with my hypnotherapy practice. He understood the concept and he knew the things I needed (my music playing in the background, lavender oil in the burner, quiet and dark and undisturbed) and he did what he needed to do to make sure all that was set up. But it's not like we did anything together during the birth and we never practiced anything before hand together. I just listened to my CD about 4-5 times a week. He did help just support me (like physically, while I was squatting and pushing) and he did all the other things like getting stuff ready, filling up the pool, making sure I had plenty to eat and drink, talking to the midwives, but that was nothing to do with hypnotherapy. I did have a doula, but she was pretty useless and was on holiday and barely even made it to the birth (and I don't plan to hire one next time), so it really was just me. I spent most of the time alone sitting on my birth ball in the bedroom or lounge, listening to my music with my TENS on. The midwives arrived when I was fully dilated and just starting to push. It was great. I was perfectly happy with this and frankly, it would have been harder with lots of people around fussing over me. Again, I think it really depends on if hypnobabies is an approach that really relies on having a partner's participation. Natal hypnotherapy doesn't really, though there are ways to incorporate a partner into your practice, it's not a requirement. I found just practicing lots was all I needed. I had a lovely home birth, no pain relief other than a TENS, first baby and all.
