Meskhenet is a very ancient Egyptian goddess associated with childbirth; additionally, she is the one who grants each newborn child their ka (the portion of the soul that provides life), breathing the ka into each as they are born.

Meskhenet is depicted here with her unique characteristic headdress–a cow’s uterus, symbolizing her connection with birth. She can also be depicted as a brick with a woman’s head and that same headdress–these bricks were women traditionally used by women to squat on while giving birth.

Meskhenet of the birthing brick, easer of labor,
granter of life and destiny, I praise and honor you.