Makena for Premature Labor User Reviews (Page 3)

• Wen...
• September 13, 2018

"I have had two high-risk pregnancies. The first one, I had placenta previa the whole time with my daughter, delivered at 37 weeks. The third child, my water started leaking at 25 weeks, I had him at 29 weeks. He spent 19 days in the NICU, weighing just under 3 pounds. This is my fourth pregnancy. I’m 40 years old and was very scared about having another premature baby. My doctor told me, since I found out I was 18 weeks into the pregnancy, that I needed to get on the Makena shots. At that point, not knowing for 18 weeks, I would rather not have another premature baby. So, I have been on the shots. I am now 35 1/2 weeks, waiting on my next shot on Tuesday, and hope to deliver soon after that. I will tell you, it is much better to have a healthy baby than the scare of having a premature baby that may not make it. Yes, I endured the same symptoms: itchy injection sites, swelling, and bruising. All worth it!"

• Van...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2016

"I gave birth to my son at exactly 34 weeks because my water broke at 33 weeks. I had early contractions with him, and he spent a while in NICU. I got pregnant with my daughter when my son was just 7 weeks and got the Makena injection from 16 weeks until 33 weeks and ended up having my daughter at 37 weeks. It definitely helps. Technically, it doesn't help with preterm water breakage, but it does help with preterm contractions and early labor. The shot doesn't hurt when it is injected but hurts for a couple of days afterward sometimes. Make sure you tell the nurse or doctor to alternate hips. Good luck, ladies."

• MIY...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2018

"I suffered from premature rupture of membranes my first pregnancy. My water broke at 16 weeks, bed rest till 26 weeks when they just couldn't stop the labor, she was coming either way. Miya was born 4 lbs and died 5 hours later. I am currently pregnant with her sister Mila, and I started Makena injections at 16 weeks. I am 32 weeks today, no issues! I am scheduled to take my last injection at 36 weeks and 3 days. My insurance covered the entire time, thank goodness. My side effects were slight itching and pain at the injection site."

• Lra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2019

"I had my first child at 34 weeks with no complications. When my doctor mentioned the shot to me while I was pregnant with my daughter, I was skeptical. I was never big on medicines or anything being injected into my body. I decided to get the shot anyway. My OB was very kind to give me info on having a nurse from an outside agency come to my house each week to give the shot. Other than itching for the first few weeks, I did not experience any other side effects. I went 39 weeks and had a very healthy baby girl."

• Ale...
• September 14, 2014

"So far, I got two shots of this Makena. And you ladies are right that the shot in the butt really hurt, and in my case, stays painful till I have to get the other shots. But so far, I am not feeling any negative side effects yet. We will see, and I will update you on what else is going to happen. So far, everything is good, and hopefully, I won't have my baby till it's due date. My first baby was premature. After receiving the shot, for some reason, I never felt more beautiful, I feel that my skin is healthier than ever. Again, I am not sure if it's because of Makena, but that's just how I feel now."

• Dow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

"Who knows if it works or not? I am leery of the lack of studies, especially following up on children in the years after they are born. There is so much pressure to receive these shots, but go with your gut. They hurt. I have had both the auto injector (in the arm) and the regular (in the muscle of your butt). Both caused side effects. I had one in my arm, and it itched and hurt for over a month after I received it. I had several in my butt that hurt for days at the injection site, sometimes pain down my leg, and I would develop a hard lump under the skin at the injection site. I have never felt more depressed, and it makes your urine smell something awful. Keeping the hope that the benefits are real and are worth the damage I may be doing to my body or my unborn baby. Who knows what will develop in the future from injecting ourselves with synthetic materials."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2017

"I had three kids full-term, decided after 14 years from my youngest to have another, and at the age of 43, had complications. Cervix was thin and had to have a cerclage (cervical stitch) due to contractions and length of the cervix at 20 weeks. Started Makena the week after, made the mistake of reading the posts here and prepared myself for painful injections. It was quite the opposite, half of the time I didn't feel a thing, and I'm now on my 29th week and going strong."

• Bir...
• May 16, 2017

"I had my first baby at 30 weeks. When I got pregnant the second time, my doctor recommended the Makena shots that I took weekly for about three months. Yet, I still gave birth at 30 weeks as my first pregnancy. It did not work for me. The shots were painful and so expensive, Prime Specialty Pharmacy was billing the insurance company about $3,500 for each 4 shots' shipment they call it. I personally would not recommend it. Had I known what I know now, I would have left it in God's hands."

• Tas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

"10 years ago, I had a son premature at 26 weeks, however, I had no clue that I was pregnant with him. Now I am 28 weeks pregnant. My cervix is short at 1.8 cm, and I think that was one of the reasons why I went into premature labor. I was given Makena at 16 weeks, and everything is going well: no contractions, or pain, or any signs of labor. The Makena does hurt and sometimes leaves me itchy, but I do believe that it is working."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2016

"I had a short cervix, which caused me to deliver early. So, at the beginning of this pregnancy, my doctor offered Makena. She said if I was even thinking about it, I should go ahead and start the process so by 16 weeks everything would be ready to go. FYI, I started shots at 17 weeks. The injections only hurt if I didn't relax my muscles, which was only twice. We alternated sides every week. I am now 37 weeks and 4 days, no baby yet, but I had false labor after 36 weeks. It worked great for me! Thanks, Makena."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2017

"First pregnancy, 6 years ago, my water broke at 30 weeks, delivered, he had to stay in NICU for 2 weeks. Second pregnancy, three years ago, my water broke at 26 weeks, stayed in the hospital, had him at 29 weeks. Third pregnancy, I miscarried. This pregnancy, I started the shots at 16 weeks, I made it to 29 weeks and still counting. If it wasn't for this shot, I probably would have already had the baby. I am so thankful that I was given this medicine. Yeah, it hurts, but it is totally worth it!"

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

"I had my first child at 27 weeks. My second child at 33 weeks. I started Makena with my third child when I was 16 weeks pregnant, ended up having her at 31 weeks. I'm currently pregnant with my fourth child, and I'm 29 weeks pregnant and started Makena when I was 25 weeks pregnant with this pregnancy. I get it in my hip. It burns sometimes when it's injected, but other than that, there is no pain. I'm hoping it'll work better with this pregnancy than my last."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2017

"Had my first baby at 32 weeks, and with my second baby, I started the shots at 19 weeks with my Dr's. I am pleased to say I'm 38 weeks with pregnancy and couldn't be happier with how the shots went. They are painful, but it was worth it to know I'm not going to deliver the baby in the NICU or have to worry about how small she will be, as I did with my first. I would love to tell any mother that has the option to use the shots to do so!!"

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

"I have no idea how some of these ladies are administering the SC injection compared to the IM injection, but wow! The pain of the large gauge needle deep in my muscle is so, so much more painful than the quick SC injection. Either way, it's all about my baby, and the SC injection makes things so much easier, faster, and very little pain besides slight burning at the site of injection, itching, and slight bump once in a while. This has worked best for me: cold ice behind the arm for a couple of minutes, then relax the arm and let it hang down, and have someone administer it from behind. It's fast and no, no pain at all compared to the IM. Still can't believe people think the SC has more pain than the IM. Hopefully, this helps, so they can have pain-free injection while having a healthy baby. Good luck, moms."

• Joa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2019

"I had my 1st baby at 33 weeks. With my 2nd, they recommended the shots. I started getting the shots early on, about 16 weeks. I went into labor at 29 weeks after receiving the shots, thankfully, they stopped it and continued the shots and other meds to stop labor. Then I went back into labor at 35 weeks, and nothing was stopped at that point. I am now pregnant again with my 3rd, and I am 15 weeks and just found out how expensive it will be to get the shots again (that did not work for me in the past). I think I am going to pass this time since it did not work for me previously and have faith that this one will stay in until at least 36 weeks. I am being monitored this time for the length of my cervix, so I will just hope everything stays long and closed."

• Zip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

"I’m 22 weeks + 3 days. I started taking the Makena shot 1 month ago. I have no complaints, no swelling, bruising, redness, or itching. I used to take the Depo, so this shot is a cakewalk for me. I get it in my hip every Wednesday, alternating the location each week. My nurse comes to my house and administers the injections. The reason I have to take the P17 injections is because, almost 6 years ago, my water ruptured on 2/18/14 at 16 weeks. I suddenly started to bleed for an unknown reason. I carried my baby 26 weeks and 2 days, resulting in an emergency C-section. He was born on 4/29/14, weighing 1 lb 11 oz. His lungs were horrible because he didn’t have any amniotic fluid. He ended up needing a trach. He lived for 9 months and 19 days, so when I became pregnant this time, my doctor recommended I take the P17 injections. At first, I declined because I was not knowledgeable, but after going home and doing some research, I found that it may work for me. So far, it has gotten me past the 16-week mark that I was scared about from my previous PROMMS incident. I’m very hopeful."

• can...
• December 4, 2019

"I started receiving the shot at 16 weeks. I’m currently 31 weeks, 4 days. I had my first son prematurely at 32 weeks. I got the shot injection in the side of my hip, and it caused a lump and was itchy the next day or two. I felt dizzy, blurred vision felt like I was going to pass out. I was weak and also was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with this pregnancy, which my doctor failed to let me know the side effects this shot causes. I would strongly read the information paper the bottle comes with before you inject it."

• Sbl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2017

"I gave birth to my daughter at 34 weeks for completely unknown reasons. The doctors were so set on me agreeing to take Makena that when I asked about possible side effects, I was told there really aren't side effects. I was scheduled for a shot today but am completely refusing to allow my doctors to continue with this treatment. The side effects are terrible! The shots are painful, and you'll be tender for days. I also had a ton of fatigue while taking them, but the worst is the moodiness and depression. After just a few short weeks of taking Makena, my emotional state has become so poor that it is safer and healthier for both myself and my baby to not continue Makena. I would recommend for expecting mothers to steer clear of Makena."

• She...
• August 27, 2016

"I had my first baby at 34 weeks. Took the shot with my second, and I am 38 weeks. I had itching where I was injected after the shot, but no side effects other than that. I would recommend the shot, and I am happy I did it."

• Jay...
• October 16, 2018

"This is my 5th pregnancy-4 prior living healthy kids :) 2/4 pregnancies were preemies, 32 & 34 weeks. My son, born at 34 weeks, was due to lack of amniotic fluid and the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times-induced, being that he was dying inside of me. I started leaking fluid at 20 weeks and complete bed rest and taking terbutaline for contractions. Baby boy was born healthy, 5.1 pounds, 18 inches. My daughter was born at 32 weeks, I just began to dilate so quick, and they waited until I was 6 cm and popped my bag and had her within 20 minutes. She was in the NICU for a month due to premature lungs. Now, with my 5th pregnancy, I started Makena at 17 weeks. I had some hemorrhaging early on in the 1st trimester. Glad and hoping that this is the Makena working for me-as I currently am 33 weeks as of today-some mild Braxton Hicks. Injections do hurt and cause me so much pain! But as long as my baby boy makes it to term, I do not care about the side effects. I'll be back with an update as to when I have my baby, and God willing, everything goes smoothly :)"

• Kri...
• May 30, 2017

"My first child was born at 30 weeks, so Makena was highly recommended when I became pregnant the second time. I started taking it when I was 16 weeks along. Have to say, the shot really did not hurt. I also had no side effects. I made it to 37 weeks with my second; it was great! Only downfall to the drug is cost; I was so lucky my insurance fully covered it. Wonderful drug, worth the trouble of getting it every week to not have another preemie."

• Kga...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2017

"I went into labor with my first daughter at 24 weeks pregnant and had her when I was 26 weeks. (She is now a smart and healthy 4-year-old.) I'm taking these injections since I was 20 weeks pregnant and now made it to my 3rd trimester (29 weeks) and couldn't be happier knowing I have a little way left and how I'm feeling so great!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

"Went in yesterday and received my first Makena shot at 19 weeks. It was not painful in my hip and hasn’t even itched, however, just minutes after injection, I got extremely hot, dizzy, shaky, nauseous, and nearly passed out! So either my blood sugar coincidentally dropped immediately after I received the injection or it was a strange side effect."

• Tra...
• January 23, 2018

"My 1st son was born at 24 wks due to premature labor - he sadly passed at a month old. My 2nd pregnancy with son #2 I was encouraged to take Makena. Started at 16 wks and last one at 35.5 wks. He was born at 36.5 wks. I believe without it we could have had to bury another child. Now, with our 3rd pregnancy, I started Makena at 16 wks and so far everything is going well at 29 wks. Does the injection hurt? Yes. Is it inconvenient to have to get an injection each week? Sure. Is it expensive? Crazy expensive. My insurance covers it. If yours doesn't, ask about the compound 17p as an alternative. With all of that said for me personally, I will do whatever it takes to give my baby the chance and recommend it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

"I regret taking this. They will tell you that more progesterone isn't a bad thing, and then you'll get all the info on side effects from Makena. It increases the risk of every pregnancy complication except preterm labor. I've dealt with no complications except preterm birth in my first two pregnancies. On Makena, it's been a ride with painful injections, site reactions, fetal arrhythmia, gestational diabetes, low fluid, and I have felt like a crazy person. I was not informed, and I'd take my perfectly healthy 36-week pregnancy over this one any day."