LESLEY Gilchrist's television career was purely accidental. Lesley was working as a midwife in Leeds when the filming for Channel 4's 'One Born Every Minute' series was taking place.

Her knowledge and expertise of bringing babies into the world, honed from years of experience and research, led to her being featured in the series but she has no plans to pursue an acting career and is happy doing what she loves best.

"My Mum was a midwife, I think it was something I always knew I wanted to do," explains Lesley, who now runs her own private birthing practice, Bespoke Birthing, in Harrogate.

Oh, and she has managed to find time to write a book - and even that was by accident! Lesley explains when her sister was pregnant she asked her to do her a birth plan including information for her husband too so he would also know what to do during the labour.

"I did and a friend got pregnant a month later and I did the same for her," says Lesley.

Encouraged by her friend to produce a leaflet with all the information from the birth plan, Lesley contacted a printer anticipating producing an eight page leaflet.

"But I just found more and more things I wanted to tell women about," says Lesley, who was able to use some of the information she had researched for her masters in clinical research methods and areas of practice.

Being a mum of two she can also speak from experience and sharing her information through a blog too, what should have been a leaflet resulted in a 230 page book!

'The Bump, Birth & Baby Bible' launched recently on Amazon kindle and is also available on Lesley's website bespokebirthing.co.uk.

"I feel as though it is bigger than I ever imagined but I still feel it's not quite real as well. I am selling three a day now on Amazon and I still think 'how has this happened?'

A firm believer in natural childbirth techniques including hypnobirthing, 'The Bump, Birth & Baby Bible' provides a readable balance of information combining factual scientific research and practical tips based on years of experience.

Packed with 230 pages sharing enlightening insights into the physical and emotional journey of pregnancy, birth and parenthood, 'The Bump, Birth and Baby Bible' is dubbed 'A midwife's Guide through your labour of love.'

"Women are not prepared for the reality if birth. I thought I would write a book that prepared women so they have all that information and they know it is their choice. A lot of that has gone in the book."

The aim of the book is to provide expectant mothers and their partners with the confidence and information to meaningfully share in the magical experience of bringing new life into the world.

It covers all aspects of the preparation for parenthood such as how to make a birth plan, coping with the early stages of labour and a clear explanation of all aspects of childbirth, with plenty of tips for mothers and their birth partners. It also encompasses advice on caring for newborns including help with breastfeeding and sleeping issues.

Through the information Lesley also shares on her blog, she was recently invited to chat to the University of Bradford MIdwives Society.

"It is a way of engaging with the student population of midwives," says Lesley, who clearly relishes sharing her extensive knowledge whether it be in front of an audience or viewers on screen.

As well as appearing on 'One born every minute,' Lesley also appeared on Channel 4's '1001 Things You Should Know.'

But Lesley admits television isn't something she would have gone into. "I enjoy midwifery too much. I love the fact that you see women from the very beginning of the journey," says Lesley.

And getting invited to plenty of first birthday parties is another bonus of her rewarding role!