This qualitative study examines the emotional impact of pregnancy loss on Black women. Interviews reveal medicalized trauma, dismissal within healthcare systems, and profound isolation—framed as the Invisible Cradle Theory. The research calls for recognizing pregnancy loss within maternal mortality care and improving culturally responsive support, validation, and mental health resources.

This dissertation introduces a mixed-methods framework integrating midwifery, meteorology, and geography to study Black birthing outcomes. Rejecting deficit-based comparisons, it centers community-specific strengths and environments. Through qualitative studies of Black midwifery and quantitative climate analyses, the work offers a more holistic, justice-oriented approach to environmental health research.