But their smiles mask 18 months of rollercoaster emotions, after they almost lost three of their babies to life-threatening complications.

The couple's three youngest children were all born prematurely, all suffered serious health problems, and all nearly died.

Daughter India, now 16 months, and twins Blade and Freya, seven-and-a-half months, suffered a catalogue of complications due to their early arrivals - including lung, heart and bowel problems, and internal bleeding.

At various stages Rosemarie and Darren, from Arbourthorne, were warned each of their children was so poorly they were not expected to live - and the couple even arranged an emergency hospital christening for their twins.

But thanks to the skill of medical staff at Sheffield's Jessop Wing Hospital and at Sheffield Children's Hospital, all the youngsters have come through.

Today Rosemarie, aged 33, and her husband Darren, 39, told The Star: "We feel incredibly lucky.

"It has been such a rollercoaster ride but now we can look to the future."

The couple, who also have two older children Kelsey, nine, and Connor, eight, first experienced complications when their daughter India was born six weeks early.

She had a serious lung infection and was admitted to intensive care at Sheffield Children's Hospital where she went on to develop pneumonia, then seizures, and a blood clot on her brain.

India, who has been left with sight problems, is now under the care of the Ryegate Centre in Tapton.

Shortly after India's birth, Rosemarie and Darren discovered they were expecting twins and hoped this time all would be well. But Rosemarie endured a difficult pregnancy, and her tiny babies arrived 15 weeks early.

"We were told they might not survive the labour," said Rosemarie. "It was scary."

Baby Blade - named in honour of his dad's devotion to Sheffield United - weighed just one pound and 13 ounces, and his sister Freya was even smaller at only one pound nine ounces.

Freya, who seemed to be doing well at first, suffered a perforated bowel and needed an emergency operation. She then suffered internal bleeding which doctors couldn't stop.

"We were told, 'You will lose her tonight'," said Rosemarie, who organised an emergency christening for the babies.

But to their amazement Freya fought her way through and, despite her problems, was finally well enough to come home on New Year's Eve.

Blade suffered heart problems and his oxygen levels fell so low he was put on a ventilator to help him breathe.

But complications set in and, at one point, it looked like he would die within hours. The couple were asked if they wanted to switch off their three-month-old baby's ventilator.

"There was no way we wanted it turned off," said Rosemarie. "We sat with him all night and then he started to pick up again."

Blade now has a tracheotomy - an artificial opening in his throat - to help him breathe, and he will need specialist medical care at home.

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