Sinead Hingston's life was just as she wanted it back in early 2011. She was seven months into marriage, completely in love.
But then, that summer, tragedy struck.
A family trip to Portugal with her husband Geoff ended in his death after he had a seizure while swimming on a boat trip, as she and her parents watched on in horror.
Writing on Facebook, Sinead (34) from Ireland, who was then 19 weeks pregnant, said that she had to grow up pretty fast.
"I can honestly say, hand on my heart, that that pregnancy is the only thing that kept me here," wrote Sinead.
"We were married a wonderful seven months. Life was amazing, happy and exciting. I never felt a wave of darkness wash over me as quick as I did the day he died."
Sinead moved home to Dublin from London after Geoff's death and gave birth to baby Lily in December 2011.
"When I held our beautiful, perfect baby girl, I felt relief but also a new wave of devastation. She was out and she survived 19 weeks of me crying, unable to eat and unable to breathe. She was perfect. But he wasn't here. Nothing could have prepared me for that bit."
Lily is now four and Sinead feels she's finally starting to come out the other side.
"When you hit rock bottom, the only way is up again," she wrote. "Watching my husband die was my worst nightmare, but I finally feel as though I'm beginning to come out the other end."
"I will never ever get over it, but time has allowed me to embrace my life for what it is. I have a wonderful boyfriend, Michael, who has been amazing and he loves my baby girl."
Sinead decided to share her story to help other mums or expectant mums who are grieving and in despair.
"If my story can help just one person, I will feel like it has helped. If you're struggling at all, find the courage to confide in someone.People want to help, but they might not always know when it's needed. I'm living proof that you can get through tough times."
You can read Sinead's touching post in full below.
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