Eileithyia

Eileithyia was the Greek goddess of childbirth.

Depiction
Eileithyia was usually depicted as a woman holding a torch or with her arms raised to the sky.

Abode
Eileithyia was the goddess of childbirth and labor pains, as well as the patron goddess of midwives.

Attributes
Eileithyia's sacred attributes include a torch, a weasel, and a polecat.

Birth of Heracles
Since Hera was jealous of Alcmene for becoming pregnant with Zeus' child, she ordered Eileithyia to not allow Alcmene to give birth so as to kill both the child and the mother. When the handmaiden of Alcmene, Galinthias, spotted the Eileithyia with her arms crossed, she knew what was happening so she shouted "a son is born". This caused Eileithyia to uncross her arms out of shock, allowing Heracles to be born. Eileithyia transformed Galinthias into a polecat as punishment.

Other Names

 * Eleithya, Eilethyia, Eleuthya, Eleusia, Eileitheia, Eileitheia, Eleiuthya, Eileioneia
 * Genetyllis
 * Lucina (in Roman mythology)
 * Natio (in Roman mythology)