Jennifer Love Hewitt feels closer to late mom during pregnancy

Jennifer Love Hewitt's pregnancy has brought the actress "incredible joy" following the tragic loss of her beloved mother Patricia last summer (12).

The Client List star was devastated when her mom lost her battle with cancer last June, aged 67, but she admits her unborn baby has helped her recover from her grief.

She tells EOnline.com, "I really feel like, while it's been the most devastating blow to my heart and my spirit, something about this baby has been a gift from her.

"It has somehow been able to replace incredible grief with incredible joy. I'm very, very, very grateful for that. As every day approaches, I ask myself a lot why is she not here for this? Am I going to get through it without her? But I know she's out there and she's watching me and helping me and I'm going to be the best mother possible in her honor."

Hewitt also reveals she and her actor fiance Brian Hallisay have decided not to find out the gender of their first child, insisting, "It's one of life's last great surprises and I want to be surprised."