Greek mythology
Eileithyia
Goddess of childbirth who opens or shuts the womb
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Siblings
- Hebe · Hephaestus · Ares
- Group
- Divine · Olympians
- Appears in
- Birth of the Cosmos
Listen to “Birth of the Cosmos” in the app
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
Real episode from the app
Birth of the Cosmos
Chapter 1
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Frequently asked questions
- Who is Eileithyia?
- 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.
- Which mythology does Eileithyia belong to?
- Eileithyia belongs to Greek mythology.
- Which stories does Eileithyia appear in?
- Eileithyia appears in Birth of the Cosmos, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Eileithyia. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eileithyiaMLA
"Eileithyia." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eileithyia.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Eileithyia." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/eileithyia.Listen to the stories of Eileithyia
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