Kind Eileithuia, goddess most dear to mothers,
goddess most ancient, goddess most necessary,
I praise your name, I honor your calling.
Eileithuia, in Crete were you well honored.
Lady of Amnisos, within the deep earth
your temple lay of old, within the deep earth
did you receive offerings of cakes and sweet honey.
Bearer of torches, bringer of new life
into the bright world, Eileithuia, I praise you.

I pray to Eileithuia, gracious granter
of relief to those who lie in childbed,
daughter of mighty Hera within whose realm
you wield your gift, O ancient one who sits
at the feet of the Fates. Eileithuia, easer
of the travail of women, gentle-handed
one who gives us strength to bear the racking pains
of childbirth, leader to life of all who ever
trod upon the fair-faced earth. O Eileithuia,
kind-hearted one, deliverer from pain,
I pray to you for the health of mother and child.
I ask of you, comfort this woman in the throes
of birth, aid her in her labor, safeguard her
and her child as it enters the bright-lit world.