About Anthus
Let Us Introduce Ourselves.
Choosing the people who will care for you during pregnancy and birth is deeply personal.
Before you decide whether Anthus is the right fit for your family, we'd love to share who we are, what guides our care, and the people who will walk alongside you.
Explore Anthus
Our Story
Our Philosophy
Our Midwives
Why Anthus
Our Story
Meaningful care should never feel rushed.
After more than 20 years of caring for women and families and attending the births of more than 1,500 babies, Shanna has seen her work take different forms. But the heart behind it has remained the same.
Families need time to ask questions, understand their options, build trust, and be known by the people caring for them.
That conviction became part of the foundation of Anthus.
Even the name and logo reflect pieces of that story.
Anthus grew from Lisianthus, while the Bird of Paradise in our logo carries a connection to the tropical beauty Shanna has long loved.
Together, they have come to reflect something deeply woven into Anthus:
Growth takes time. Relationships take time. Confidence takes time.
And some of life's most meaningful seasons deserve to be cared for without being rushed.
The vision was also shaped by Shanna's years of returning to Costa Rica and her appreciation for a way of life that feels slower, more present, and more intentional.
Not slow for the sake of being slow.
Slow enough to notice. To listen. To make room for the people in front of you.
That same intentionality helped shape Anthus and the kind of care we hope families experience here.
A Different Rhythm of Care
More Than a Name
Our Philosophy of Care
Care for Parents Matters Too.
Pregnancy and birth are part of one of the most meaningful transitions in a family's life. That belief shapes the way we care at Anthus.
Meaningful care takes time.
Time to ask questions, understand your options, and make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.
Education builds confidence.
We provide thoughtful, evidence-informed information so you can understand your options and participate confidently in your own care.
Relationships build trust.
Being known changes the experience of care. We want you to know the people walking alongside you and to feel that they know you, too.
Preparation and Flexibility Matter.
Good care requires thoughtful preparation, honest communication, and the humility to recognize when plans need to change.
A change in plans is not a failure. Wherever your journey leads, you deserve to feel informed and supported.
Meet the Team
The people walking alongside you matter.
Shanna Cloyd, CPM, LM
Shanna is the owner of Anthus Midwifery and has spent more than 20 years caring for women and families through the births of more than 1,500 babies.
After owning a birth center in Midland for more than a decade, she now focuses exclusively on home birth. Her experience runs deep, but what may define Shanna most is that the heart behind her work has never left.
Rooted in her faith, she approaches each family with a desire to serve and remains deeply invested in the education, care, and relationships that have shaped her work from the beginning.
Mari Sykes, CPM, LM
Mari joined Anthus in 2022 with a deep belief that birth and maternity care could be better for women and families.
Her own experiences with the unexpected sparked a hunger to learn and understand, shaping the thoughtful, research-minded way she cares for families today.
She believes deeply in normal birth while understanding firsthand that things do not always go according to plan. That perspective allows her to bring both grounded confidence and genuine empathy to the families she walks alongside.
McKenzie Cook, RDMS
McKenzie Cook is our Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. McKenzie has offered ultrasounds for all midwives in the Permian Basin for several years through Anthus Midwifery Services.
She is gifted with the natural ability to offer gentle and respectful care, while also using her exceptional attention-to-detail to provide moms with the highest quality ultrasound scans.
Experience and knowledge are important. So is knowing that your questions will be welcomed, your story will be heard, and the people caring for you are deeply invested in your family.
Different stories. A shared commitment.
Shanna, Mari, and McKenzie each bring their own experiences, strengths, and perspectives to Anthus. What they share is a commitment to thoughtful care, honest education, and relationships built on trust.
Why Families Choose Anthus
Families come to Anthus for different reasons. Some have known for years that they wanted a home birth, while others are only beginning to explore their options. Some are preparing for their first baby, and others are hoping for a different experience this time.
Their stories may be different, but many are looking for the same things: time to ask questions, honest information, people they can trust, and care that sees them as more than a pregnancy. At Anthus, you are part of the conversation. Your questions are welcome, your story matters, and if plans change, our commitment to caring for you does not.
Ultimately, families don't choose Anthus for one single reason. They choose a way of being cared for, one built around relationship, education, thoughtful support, and the belief that you deserve to feel known throughout the journey.
There’s No Rush.
You don't have to have everything figured out today. Keep learning, explore your options, and ask your questions. When you're ready, we'd be honored to meet you.