The only description of human labor and delivery in Egypt comes from the story of the magical birth of three kings of Dynasty 5 (circa 2500-2350 B.C.E.), found in the Papyrus Westcar, which was written in the Middle Kingdom (circa 1980-1630 B.C.E.). It describes how the gods and goddesses assisted at the birth. This document provides the only reference to triplets in ancient Egyptian literature.

Once upon a time Rud-dedet suffered the pain of childbirth: Then the Majesty of Re, Lord of Sakhbu said to Isis and Nepthys, Meskhenet, Heket, and Khnum, "Would that you might travel, that you might deliver Rud-dedet of the three children who are in her womb who will perform this potent office in this entire land, that they might build our temples, and they might supply your altars, that they might...