Martine McCutcheon reveals her struggle to become a mother

Martine McCutcheon has spoken about her previous pregnancy struggles, revealing that she suffered multiple miscarriages while trying to become a mother.

The Love Actually actress opened up on a chat show during a discussion on older women having children, with the hosts debating what age is 'too old' to become pregnant.

'I was in my late 30s when I had Rafferty and I tried for a long time to have him,' she said.

“I didn’t have a problem getting pregnant. I had a problem keeping them. I lost babies,” McCutcheon told the audience.

“It was horrific every time. You never truly recover.”

The 40-year-old has been married to her husband, singer Jack McManus since 2012 and they have one son, Rafferty Jack, who was born in February 2015.

McCutcheon also said that she's worried about having had her son a bit later, as it means that they'll have less years together.

'I know that even as me at 40, I wish I could have had him earlier, because I know that whatever years I get, I know I'll be cheated out of him.

'I feel sad, that [older mums and their children] only have a certain amount of time together. When you have wanted a child for a while and it's so precious to you... [but] I look at it from a very human emotional point of view of no one is ever going to be your mum again.'

McCutcheon had previously admitted to having one miscarriage in 1999, but had not revealed further details.

'One minute I was two months pregnant and going to be a mum. The next it was all over. I'm devastated. It's so hard to deal with,' she told the Mirror at the time.

But McCutcheon hasn't been put off, and is open to having more children in the future - but not just yet.

'I'd love to have another child undoubtedly but I kind of want to enjoy [Rafferty] - he's not even two yet - and have this year with him... and then maybe me and Jack can be at it!'

McCutcheon has also been candid about her struggle with ME, but credits her pregnancy with helping her overcome the debilitating condition, explaining: “It was like a reset. I still had to manage it. I can live a normal life now. Most of all I am healthy for my son.”