Hydroxyprogesterone and Injection Site Pain: What Users Say

• Yoy...
• December 19, 2019

For Premature Labor "I had a premature baby at 24 weeks old. He survived. Now I am currently stopping Makena last week. I am currently 37 weeks and 4 days. I believe Makena really does work. The only side effect I had was my urine was very strong for a couple of days, and the shots do sting and hurt for a couple of hours. I had the shots from 16 to 36 weeks. I highly recommend the Makena shots."

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

For Premature Labor "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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• Tra...
• January 23, 2018

For Premature Labor "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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• Rox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

For Premature Labor "Last year I gave birth to a 21-week preterm baby girl. She only lived for an hour and a half. I am currently pregnant at 23 weeks, and my doctor has me taking Makena. The injections hurt, but I'm hoping for a good, healthy pregnancy this time."

• Kit...
• August 17, 2017

For Premature Labor "I had spontaneous premature labor with my first pregnancy and delivered my son at 30 weeks, 1 day after two days of attempts to stop my labor. I received the Makena injection beginning at 19 weeks during my second pregnancy and received my last shot at 35 weeks, 5 days, I believe. I had my daughter 8 days later at 36 weeks, 6 days, so almost what is considered full term. I'm currently pregnant with my third and began the injections at 19 weeks again this time. I'm 35 weeks now, and as of last week, my cervix was still high and closed. I've not had any side effects from the shots other than injection site reactions a few times, such as some itching, swelling, and a lump/knot. My overall experience has been good, definitely worth it!"

• niq...
• February 25, 2016

For Premature Labor "I was basically forced to take the Makena injection because my daughter was born at 29 weeks. And I am so happy to give this medicine a try. I hope it works. I will take it for 36 weeks. Before 29 weeks any day, 36 weeks your baby is not fighting for her life. My baby was fighting for her life. This medicine makes me feel fine. It hurts for that one day where the injection is, I feel my daughter kicking and moving so much. I'm not sure if it's coming from the shot, I don't remember my firstborn being so active at 22 weeks, but hey, she is turning 8 in March. I recommend you take this medicine. This is only my 4th shot. And I'm praying everything goes be okay, on top of the side effects, with harming my daughter, etc. You never know what can happen."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2018

For Premature Labor "With my second child, my water broke at 34 weeks, 5 days, and my doctor induced contractions. With my third child, my OB recommended the Makena shots. I started them at 14 weeks and continued through week 36. The only problems I had with the shots were injection site pain and itching. My healthy baby boy was born 6 days over due, but I didn't have to deal with a preterm baby or pitocin-induced contractions (ouch!). I am now 9 weeks pregnant with baby #4 and will again get the shots weekly starting at 14 weeks. I would much rather deal with mild discomfort for a few months than to run the risk of having another preterm baby."