Adventurer Ben Fogle and his wife Marina have said that regular 'MOT ' therapy sessions with a marriage counsellor have helped them to cope with the pressures of childcare and strengthen their relationship . The pair , who married in 2006 and have two children , have urged other couples to invest time in their marriage as a preemptive measure 'before it 's too late ' . Marina , who is founder of antenatal courses The Bump Class , told The Telegraph , 'The most compatible couples will struggle when into the mix you throw an exhausted , emotionally volatile woman who is physically vulnerable after giving birth , and a new father , equally tired and overwhelmed by his new responsibility . Seeking guidance : Ben and Marina , who married in 2006 , have two children , Ludo and Iona ( pictured ) . They have urged other couples to invest time in their marriage as a preemptive measure , 'before it 's too late ' 'Wrapped up in just getting through each day , the parents have little time left for each other , and the communication breakdown begins . ' Marina has been keen to stress the importance of communication in a successful marriage , and has said she can see how couples can easily get so busy that they leave no time for each other . Whilst many of her toddler-raising friends agree that marriage counselling is a good idea , Marina suggested that most couples who receive therapy make the decision too late . Long periods apart : Marina has suggested that many couples become increasingly busy during parenthood , and leave little time for each other . Often , Marina says , this is due to a lack of time . She added : 'We spend a day deliberating about which sofa to buy , but we can ’ t relinquish an hour for the sake of our marriages ? ' And the Fogles ' marriage has faced more challenges than most in recent years . Last August the pair were left devastated after Marina almost died giving birth to their stillborn son . The toughest of times : Last August the couple were left devastated after Marina almost died giving birth to a stillborn son . In 2012 , Ben also lost his beloved Labrador Inca , who he called his 'best friend ' 'It was a horribly sad time , ' said Ben . Ben has also written about the tragedy of losing his beloved Labrador Inca in 2012 , the dog had been a regular companion in his life and was even a catalyst for meeting his wife . It was on his daily dog walk in Hyde Park that Ben bumped into Marina . and the 41-year-old adventurer struggled hugely after losing his 'best friend ' . The couple have also had to cope with Ben 's regular trips around the world , which force them to spend long periods of time apart . He has admitted to his guilt at leaving Marina behind to look after two children and a dog . It was the trauma of losing their third child that drew the Fogles to see a counsellor . Marina now compares therapy sessions to being as essential as seeing a dentist or optician ( stock image ) But it was the trauma of losing their third child last year that compelled the Fogles to see a counsellor . Although the initial therapy was focused around dealing with their grief , the pair now see their counsellor regularly about their relationship . They rarely argue , Marina says , but when they do , they can be particularly hard to get over . The house is the thing they say they 're most likely to row about - and a confrontation can often take them weeks to recover from . She now compares therapy sessions to being as essential as seeing a dentist or an optician . Moving forward : Marina is using her experiences of motherhood in her own pregnancy clinic in South Kensington advising other mums-to-be . ' I ’ d argue our emotional wellbeing is significantly more important than our cars , eyes or teeth , ' says Marina . 'If you can learn how to be strong while the going is easy , you will be better equipped for the more challenging terrain when it comes . ' It was the difficult experience of childbirth that also prompted Marina to open her pregnancy clinic The Bump Class . The mother-of-two now runs her South Kensington-based clinic along with her sister , Chiara Hunt , and the pair aim to guide pregnant women through what can be a daunting time . The idea is that women often have very similar experiences during childbirth and they can benefit from sharing their journey with others .
Ben Fogle and his wife Marina admit their marriage needed 'maintenance ' The couple have been married for more than 20 years but the former Subway pitchman has admitted he was unfaithful to Marina. In recent years , the couple have faced more challenges than most including having a stillborn son in 2014 and the loss of a family pet . Marina runs antenatal classes and is urging parents to consider therapy .