When Megan Crocker and her husband, Jeff, moved to Sheridan in 2019, Megan quickly established care at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Clinic. She had been struggling with painful menstrual cycles, unexplained weight gain and other frustrating symptoms.
Unlike past experiences where she was told to simply “diet and exercise,” the Women’s Clinic team listened carefully and worked with Crocker to uncover the true cause: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
“The providers at the Women’s Clinic were the first to actually listen to me and help diagnose my PCOS,” Megan Crocker said. “Once we decided we were ready to have kids, I tried for over a year with no success.”
Navigating infertility and loss
PCOS made conceiving difficult because Crocker did not have a regular cycle, making ovulation rare and very hard to track. For a months, the Women’s Clinic providers had Crocker try a variety of options to help with ovulation.
“The team always explained the options and helped me know what to expect,” Crocker said. “I am a very plan-oriented person so knowing they had a plan helped me feel comfortable. Getting pregnant with PCOS is a gamble – some get pregnant really easily and some, like me, it just takes time.”
After more than a year of trying, Crocker finally became pregnant — only to experience a heartbreaking miscarriage.
“In that instant my hopes and dreams were shattered,” Crocker said. “The team prepped me for what to expect physically but also made sure to check in on my mental health. They encouraged me to seek counseling, which was one of the most impactful decisions I made for my healing.”
With compassionate care, ongoing support and a clear plan, Crocker found the strength to keep moving forward.
Welcoming Cade
In January 2022, Crocker learned she was pregnant again. The pregnancy itself went smoothly, though anxiety about miscarriage remained a constant challenge.
“The Women’s Clinic team was amazing,” Crocker said. “They would answer any questions I had or when I called with concerns, they would listen. Preparing to be a first-time parent is overwhelming but they ensured we felt prepared.”
Outside the anxiety Crocker felt around another potential miscarriage, this pregnancy progressed without complications.
But at 36 weeks, the baby’s arrival was dramatic. Crocker arrived at the hospital already 8 centimeters dilated, with the baby in breech position. Within 45 minutes, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital team had her in surgery for an emergency C-section.
“I remember having five nurses rapidly working around us to prep me for surgery,” Crocker said. “Even though it was a whirlwind, the team explained everything and kept us calm. We knew we were in good hands.”
After delivery, the Crockers’ son, Cade, faced some health struggles, including unstable glucose levels, but physicians and nurses worked closely to stabilize him, while also supporting Crocker in her postpartum recovery.
Every pregnancy is different
Two years later, the Crockers felt ready to grow their family again. This time, conception was nearly effortless compared to the first journey.
Pregnancy with their daughter, Colbi, brought new challenges, though, including nausea in the first trimester and gestational diabetes. With education, support and close monitoring, Crocker made it through the first trimester and rebounded for the remainder of the pregnancy.
“My biggest concern was whether I would know I was in labor,” Crocker recalled. “With Cade, I had no idea I was in labor and that put us both at risk. I was incredibly stressed that would happen again, but the Women’s Clinic staff and Women’s Health team were incredible with this concern.
“Whenever I thought I was possibly in labor they would either see me in office or in the unit for observation,” Crocker said. “They always said it is not a hassle at all and is always better to be safe. Each time I left the Women’s Health unit I felt confident and at ease Colbi and I were OK.”
While the pregnancy with Cade was easy, his birth was dramatic. For Colbi, the opposite was true. A harder pregnancy challenged Crocker, but the delivery went smoothly.
And, following this scheduled C-section, Crocker was able to stay with her new baby girl and her husband post-surgery, while with her first child — she stayed in recovery with her son while her husband waited in another room. Staying together as a family meant Crocker had her husband by her side the entire time.
Postpartum care
Following the birth of the Crockers’ first child, the Women’s Health team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital ensured Crocker’s pain was managed and helped the couple learn what to expect as new parents.
“You learn so much the first handful of days you have a baby,” Crocker said. “They helped with learning to breastfeed, bathe a baby and even teach you to swaddle, which they all make look so easy. Having nurses you can rely on during these big life changes is key to having an amazing experience.”
Following the birth of the Crockers’ second child in 2025, the Women’s Health team was similarly attentive, but also provided the family with space as needed.
In addition, after her second C-section, an occupational therapist met with Crocker in the hospital to help provide care. They provided tips regarding the best ways to get in and out of bed, support for when the family returned home and more.
“This wasn’t something that was offered after my first child, and it was incredibly helpful, and therefore I had a more successful recovery,” Crocker said.
Gratitude and Trust
Today, Cade — now 2 years old — adores his little sister, Colbi, and the family is thriving. Reflecting on their journey, Crocker credits the Women’s Clinic and Women’s Health teams at Sheridan Memorial Hospital for their expertise, compassion and unwavering support.
“We honestly would not have had our second baby at Sheridan Memorial Hospital if we didn’t trust these teams. They listened, reassured and celebrated every milestone with us,” Crocker said. “Pregnancy is both terrifying and exciting, and having such a well-trained, compassionate team made all the difference.”
