Losing three of their four babies in the past four years has been extremely trying for Louise, 35, and Dirk Kerkhof, 39, but it has also helped them realise how lucky they are.

The first time I laid eyes on Dirk, I knew I was going to marry him. I even said it to my friend who was with me at the bar. It was my second day onboard a cruise ship where I was working as a jeweller and Dirk an engineer.

We married in 2001, full of hope and excitement for our future together. We moved to Nottinghamshire and I left my job on the ship but Dirk stayed, working away for three months then at home for two. It was hard being apart but we knew we were investing in our future together.

In February 2004 I became pregnant. Everything ran smoothly until, one day, when I was 27 weeks, I developed mild stomach ache. Little did I know I was contracting and was 10cm dilated. My mum came and took me to hospital then sent an emergency email to Dirk on the ship. He got the next available flight home from the USA.

“Jasper Thomas was born on 2 August 2004 weighing just 2lb 13oz. Dirk arrived two days later, just two hours before our little boy passed away in the neonatal unit with bleeding on his lungs.

“The shock and sadness that followed overwhelmed us, but Dirk remained strong, and his strength got me through.

“Two months later I flew to Dirk’s ship to be with him for a month. We decided to try for another baby straight away, and became pregnant quickly. However, at my nine week scan I found out I have a bicornuate uterus (it has two sections). At 24 weeks I was given steroid injections to strengthen the babies lungs. Then at 32 weeks my waters broke and I was taken to hospital for an emergency Caesarean.

“As soon as I heard my baby cry I knew he was ok. Harrison James weighed 4lb 4oz and I was able to give him a kiss before he was taken to neonatal. Dirk managed to make it home two days later. Placing Harrison into his arms, tears poured down my face. We were able to take our son home three weeks later and he progressed brilliantly.

“When Harrison was one, we decided to try for a brother or sister for him. Once again, I fell pregnant quickly and as Dirk left for his ship we told each other everything would be ok.

“But at 19 weeks, I had a pink discharge and an internal examination revealed I was 4cm dilated. I had an emergency suture (cervical stitch) but at 22 weeks, my waters broke again. There was nothing that could be done but to give birth naturally, but our son, Layton Alex had already died.

“Dirk was thousands of miles away but came home to be by my side. We were heartbroken and wondered why this was happening to us.

“We didn’t think we could go through the heartache of losing another child again but doctors advised us that if I had a suture at 13 weeks, I’d have no problems with a future pregnancy. We decided to try one more time to bring a baby home.

“At 13 weeks a suture was put in place and we hoped and prayed. But at 19 weeks pink discharge signalled the stitch was coming away. Another suture was put in and I had to stay in hospital for bed rest. At the time Dirk was in Greenland so it took him a week to get home, and he arrived two weeks before I underwent another emergency Caesarean. Dirk held his son, Miller Owen in his arms as he died, just 51 minutes old. I came out of theatre to see Mum and Dirk waiting for me with tears in their eyes.

“It’s hard to describe the pain I felt. Only Dirk truly knows how I feel. He has been through the same agony yet he always stays strong, for me and for Harrison.

“I think our experience has made us appreciate having each other and such a gorgeous little boy. Harrison is three now and a real character. He’s funny, cheeky and very loving. He makes sure his mummy and daddy get lots and lots of hugs.