124: Single Mother Journey in Pregnancy and Postpartum

Have you thought about--or personally experienced--the stigma surrounding single moms? We all know that the road can be tough for these women, but what support is available? Today’s show features someone who has been there, caught in the swirl of shame, doubt, and fear as she struggled to go through pregnancy and single motherhood. She’s turned the narrative on its head and spreads an empowering message to women who are fearfully stuck in relationships that aren’t healthy and nurturing. There is hope for you, Single Mom!   Jaren Soloff is a women’s health practitioner based in San Diego who became a single teen mom after enduring an abusive relationship. As a young, single mother of her daughter, now 7, Jaren is passionate about creating a new narrative for moms to find their voices and connect to themselves. Jaren has the unique experience of raising a child while navigating college, career, and parenting. She hopes to share her journey of single parenting to empower others on their journey. Jaren is a registered dietitian and lactation educator, and the founder and owner of Empowered RD, Nutrition+Lactation, a private practice dedicated to empowering women through their reproductive years, from preconception to postpartum. Jaren shares her perspective on changing the narrative and the language we use around single motherhood.   Show Highlights:   Jaren’s unplanned pregnancy while in college--and the on/off abusive relationship with the father of her child The shaming reactions and conversations from her family, filled with criticism and judgment How her partner felt about the pregnancy and manifested his power and manipulation Jaren’s next steps: how she left school, moved back home, and braced herself to face motherhood alone How she knew the relationship would have to end for the safety of herself and her child How her mom and her conservative religious background affected her during her pregnancy How Jaren felt about herself and her mental state during this time The chaotic postpartum period and how she returned to school just five weeks after giving birth The helpful support Jaren found in her doula What she really needed was partner support and community with other moms The validation she felt when there was a label put to what she was going through How Jaren finished school when her daughter was four--and then got her nutrition credential Her great job at a university, with good psychological and social support Why resilience was one strength that helped Jaren survive Why we need better support for single moms How Jaren helps support single moms today with her passion and sense of responsibility to serve them and women who are breastfeeding and facing other feeding challenges How we can create a different narrative by eliminating the stigma and shame around single motherhood: Help them form their own identity and interests Teach them to prioritize self-care Help them be unafraid to do well and thrive   Resources:   www.empoweredrd.com   Find Jaren on Instagram: @empoweredrd  Facebook: Empowered RD, Nutrition+Lactation