Eileithyia

Eileithyia was a Greek goddess. In Roman mythology, Eileithyia was known as Lucina.

Abode
Eileithyia was the goddess of childbirth and labor pains.

Depiction
Eileithyia was typically depicted as holding a torch which represented the burning childbirth pains. She sometimes had her hands in the air, which symbolized her allowing a child to be born. Sometimes Eileithyia was depicted as being two separate beings, known as the Eileithyiae. One goddess furthered birth while the other protracted labor.

Mythology
When Alcmene went into labor with Heracles, Hera forced Eileithyia to stop her from giving birth. The maiden of Alcmene, Galinthias, saw Eileithyia standing in the doorway with her arms folded knew that she was stopping the baby from being born and exclaimed, "a son is born!". Eileithyia, surprised that the baby was born without her permission, threw her hands up and Alcmene was able to give birth. Eileithyia turned Galinthias into a polecat.

Relationships

 * Parents: Zeus and Hera
 * Children with no father: Sosipolis