SHELLEY and Jai Canobie-Harris faced one of the most difficult challenges imaginable when they lost their son, Leo, shortly after his birth in August last year.

Since November, Ms Canobie-Harris has worked tirelessly to raise funds for a Cuddle Cot for Tweed Hospital, in a bid to ease a fraction of the pain brought about by the loss of a child.

On Friday, the couple, now expecting another child, donated the device to the hospital, in an emotional reunion with the midwives.

On August 22, Ms Canobie-Harris was admitted for an emergency caesarean at Tweed Hospital. Her unborn son, Leo had an irregularly fast heartbeat.

While she recovered from surgery, Leo was rushed to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, but he didn't make it.

Midwife Carolyn Griffey said while they are fortunate not to see too many cases like Leo's, more parents miscarried or lost their children than many people realised.

Ms Griffey said the Cuddle Cot would be an invaluable addition to the hospital.

"It's something people don't talk about," she said.

Being separated from their deceased children would only add to the pain, Ms Griffey said.

"People cope better if they get time to be with their baby," she said.

Ms Canobie-Harris said it gave them an invaluable chance to bond with their lost child.

"It gives you time to make memories before you can't see your baby anymore."

She said that helped to ease some of the unbearable pain of losing her baby.

It also meant Leo's grandparents were able to visit from Victoria and New Zealand.

Despite giving herself a 12-month timeframe to raise the $4500 for the Cuddle Cot, that mark was reached in only about four months.

"We were in so much shock we didn't know what we were entitled to and we didn't know what to ask for," Ms Canobie-Harris said. "The first 24 hours was really hard to remember because you are in such shock. It was like a dream."

When her baby boy was transported to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Ms Canobie-Harris was recovering from surgery - and that made this time even more of a blur for her.

Having a few days with Leo meant they were able to create memories which would otherwise have been impossible.

Every year, about 150,000 Australian couples experience reproductive loss. 

If this story has upset you, there are a number of support services available:

- Pregnancy Loss Australia: pregnancyloss australia.org.au

- Sands: sands.org.au

- Bears of Hope: bearsofhope.org.au