An Egyptian goddess who acted as a midwife and who presided over the birth-chamber. She accompanied the goddess Renenet (Fortune).

Meskhenet meant "birthing place" and she was the goddess of birth, presided over the birthplace acting like a midwife for animals as well. She accompanied the goddess Renenet (Fortune). She was personified by the birthing brick that the Egyptian women squatted on while giving birth. She was also depicted as a woman with a stylistic cow's uterus on her head, just like the godess Anit. She was also goddess of fate and could read the destinies of children. All through infancy she guarded the babies using protective powers and she was associated with the frog godess Heqet. She also appeared in the Osiris Court in the Underworld when the heart of the deceased was being weighed before the final verdict. She was next to the scales as a human headed birthing brick where she would testify to the character of the newly dead, since she had given them their destiny when they were born.

In addition to ensuring the safe delivery of a child from the womb, Meskhenet takes a decision on its destiny at the time of birth. In the Papyrus Westcar the goddess helps at the birth of the future first three kings of the 5th Dynasty. On the arrival of Userkaf, Sahure and Neferirkare into the arms of Isis, she approaches each child and assures it of kingship. Similarly she is the force of destiny that assigns to a scribe promotion among the administrators of Egypt.

A hymn in the temple of Esna refers to four "Meskhenets" at the side of the creator god Khnum, whose purpose is to repel evil by their incantations.

http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/0egyptintro/1egypt/gudasidor/meskhenet.htm

http://www.touregypt.net/bkofdead.htm

http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/meskhenet.html