Jennifer Love Hewitt thinks the key to her labour going smoothly was feeding her husband snacks.

The 'Criminal Minds' actress gave birth to daughter Autumn 10 months ago and says spouse Brian Hallisay was ''great'' in the delivery room - because she ensured he was well fed and content throughout the long process.

She said: ''This is the thing, too, if you are in labour, feed your husband and they are wonderful. He can't be hungry -- you need them!

''If he passed out or something bad happened out of being hangry, then I don't get what I need, which is my rock. I had pudding for him and snack bars ... it was great!''

The 35-year-old star says her husband was so ''solid'' during her labour, he should consider a new career helping women deliver their babies.

She told talk show host Jimmy Kimmel: ''He should be a male doula. I was really worried that I was going to get that face -- 'Mmm, what's happening here?' -- and I'm not good at the faces so I would've been like, 'What does that mean? What does that mean!' But he was just like, 'This is great. I am so proud of you right now. This is awesome, you look beautiful.'

''I was really proud of him. He's that guy anyway, so he's impressive in that way, but he was great.''

Autumn has already taken her first steps and her famous mother is nursing many bruises as a result - because she can't get to grips with the temporary gates installed around their home to keep the youngster contained.

She explained: ''I have bruises everywhere from falling over [the gates].

''You're holding the baby and you have to lift up and then swing it ... it's impossible!''