Greek mythology
Eileithyia
Goddess of childbirth who opens or shuts the womb
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Group
- Olympians · Divine
- Appears in
- Birth of the Cosmos
Eileithyia is the daughter of Zeus and Hera who presides over labor and birth, easing or withholding a mother's delivery at her will. When Hera commands her to keep her hands clasped, she delays the birth of Heracles for seven agonizing days. At Apollo and Artemis's birth on Delos, the other goddesses must lure her past Hera's watch before Leto can be delivered.
Related figures
Listen to the stories of Eileithyia
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