Hydroxyprogesterone for Premature Labor User Reviews (Page 4)

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

"I had my soon-to-be 4-year-old at 27 weeks, and now I’m currently 32 weeks. My midwife started me on the Makena (P17) shot at 16 weeks. I would say it’s very effective, but the shots hurt so bad. They say it’s the medicine because it’s so thick, but either way, it hurts. Every other week, they inject it into the opposite arm. When I usually get it, my left arm stings the longest for days afterwards, and it itches so bad. The more I get it, the more I’m used to it, but I cannot wait until I don’t have to get it any longer because that pain afterwards is horrible. I don’t look forward to getting it every week, and I’ve been counting down since 16 weeks, lol. I’m glad that it’s helping my baby stay in there a bit longer, though, so I won’t complain, but other than the painfulness, I would recommend getting it. Nothing is more painful than actual labor, so I think I can survive a 2-second shot with a couple days of pain."

• Kit...
• August 17, 2017

"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!"

• Mar...
• July 7, 2017

"I had two of my boys at 34 weeks and one at 29 weeks. I started with Makena injections at 16 weeks for this pregnancy, had the last injection last week at 36 weeks. I'm so excited I'm now 37 weeks pregnant and still going, been having some contractions but not too frequent. Thanks to Makena, for the first time not having a preemie baby, and if everything goes well, I will finally get the experience of taking my baby home with me instead of leaving them at NICU. Waiting to meet my baby girl, scheduled for C-section 07/21/17. My insurance covered it but had a very high copayment, but thanks to copayment assistance, I only had to pay $25 out of pocket once a month."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2017

"After having 3 premature deliveries, my doctor recommended Makena with my 4th pregnancy. I started Makena in my 16th week of pregnancy and continued all the way until 36 weeks. I ended up being induced at 39 weeks. The shot really does work! It is a bit painful when the medicine goes in, but icing the area before the shot is administered helps! Also, make sure to rub the area after the shot to reduce swelling to help the oil disperse. I wish I had the shot with all of my pregnancies!"

• Len...
• March 15, 2017

"My first was born at 29 weeks and 2 days. (My water broke spontaneously, full rupture, and Dr. couldn't stop the contractions.) He had to stay in the level 3 NICU for approximately 2 months. I'm certain I had preeclampsia but went undiagnosed. This pregnancy, I started the shots at 16 weeks, and I'm now a happy 35 weeks exactly today. My BP is running high this pregnancy but haven't had any severe swelling. I was recently admitted to L&D for 1 day due to my NST results and some contractions, but I had no dilation. After tomorrow, I only have 1 more shot to go! I feel that without the shots, I would have delivered by now. According to my doctor and the nurse caring for me, the average delivery time frame is between 37 and 38 weeks."

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

"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."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2019

"I had my second baby at 32 weeks gestation, and so with my third baby, they told me I should do the Makena shots. I did the shots from 16 weeks till I had my baby at 35. Some were painful depending on how the nurse administered it. They need to go slow!"

• R G...
• August 29, 2019

"I took Makena shots after having a baby at 32 weeks. My next baby was born at 39 weeks. After a couple of months, I developed arthritis in the sacroiliac joints; I strongly believe it was caused by the injections."

• Hig...
• October 13, 2019

"I highly recommend Makena. Every week that I get my injections, I rotate arms. We have found out if we administer my shot two inches roughly below my armpit, then it doesn’t burn or hurt at all. (Yes, my husband administers them for me since I can’t go into my doctor's office every week to get the shot since I’m on bedrest). Yes, if they are not administered in the right spot in the arm, it will hurt and be extremely painful. My firstborn was born at 29 weeks and had a 57-day NICU stay. I’m currently 32 weeks and so thankful for Makena. I truly believe that Makena is the reason I’ve made it this far. :) And insurance has covered most of the cost. We only pay $30 for 4 shots every month. So it’s very affordable for us."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

"I have a history of preterm labor, with my first born at 35 weeks, next at 32 weeks. The next one was put on bed rest and terbutaline at 28 weeks, with delivery at 38. This time I started the shots at 16 weeks, in the butt, and sometimes it hurts and sometimes not. I found it helpful to circle the spot with a Sharpie for the next time when I found a good spot. I just took my last shot today, and I'm 35 weeks two days. I've still had contractions, but my cervix hasn't changed at all, so I consider that a success! I also haven't had to be on bed rest, which is amazing! I did have an issue at one point with my insurance being difficult, and it took a month to get my refill, but the doctor had a few extra shots, so I didn't miss any."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2017

"In 2015, my water broke, and I had my daughter at 35 weeks. Lucky she was just fine at 5 lbs 10 oz and came home with us. When I got pregnant with my son early this year, my OB recommended the Makena injection. I started the weekly injection at 16 weeks and continued it until 36 weeks. The shot was occasionally painful, and sometimes I would have an itchy red bump at the injection site. My water broke 4 days after the last shot, and I had my son when I was 36w6d. He was 7 lbs 13 oz and was perfectly healthy. It is hard to tell if the Makena injection worked or not, but if I wasn't on it, who knows, he may have come sooner, so I am glad I decided to do the shot."

• niq...
• February 25, 2016

"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."

• six...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

"I had my second daughter at 33 weeks. With my last daughter, I had an emergency cerclage placed at 16 weeks. I was already 1 cm dilated. I started the p17 shots in the hip and went into labor at 31 weeks. I stayed in the hospital at 7 cm until I delivered her at 36 weeks. I received the p17 shot until I delivered her at 36 weeks. I’m now 21 weeks 3 days pregnant with my 4th daughter and had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks and started the Makena auto-injector in my arm at 16 weeks. The arm injections itch like crazy, burn, and leave me with lumps for days. I get cervical length checks every 2 weeks, and it is long and closed. Not sure if the injections are helping or if the cerclage is working. I’m hoping to make it to 36 weeks again without a hospital stay."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2016

"I delivered my first child at 36 weeks after having preterm labor at 29 weeks. I had a partial amniotic rupture with that preterm labor, and I was dilated to a 4 when they finally stopped the contractions. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant with my second child, and I have been on weekly Makena injections since week 16. I began having closely spaced contractions yesterday and went to my local hospital. My cervix was still closed, but the frequency of the contractions and the lack of their response to the magnesium bolus caused them to send me by ambulance to a more prepared hospital in a larger city. I'm home today and not in the hospital. I know it's because of the Makena shots! Without them, my cervix would have been dilating, no doubt."

• NPa...
• February 24, 2021

"Well, I was open to using Makena as directed by my OB due to preterm labor with my first child at 35 weeks. I started the auto injector and immediately had severe pain with radiating symptoms into my elbow. The pain was deep, and I could hardly move my elbow, it swelled up so much on day three or four from the injection. I never really had significant site reaction until injections two through four. I handled the second and third injection much better and thought I was improving in my tolerability of this medication, just some arm soreness along the back of the arm that lasted about a week. Then, my fourth injection was terrible. I had significant itching and a flare-up of rash, hives, and swelling on both posterior arms. I decided the misery was enough, my stress and discomfort and poor sleep were likely causing more distress in this pregnancy than the potential benefit of the injection. So, I stopped it!"

• Nes...
• July 7, 2019

"So I started Makena shots at 21 weeks. I was going to start them at 16 weeks, but we were waiting on my insurance approval. My doctor recommended them since I gave birth at 35 weeks with my first due to my water breaking. Well, at 28 weeks, my doctor noticed my cervix was shortening, and I was put on strict bed rest. I’m now 35+3, and I’m hoping to make it to 36 weeks. My doctor says Makena shots are helping me stay pregnant and keeping my cervix the same length, along with bed rest."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2019

"Getting the auto-injection in my arm once a week, starting at 16 weeks, and I am now 24 weeks. The first few burned really badly afterward, but now I barely notice anything. My son, who is about to be 2 years old, was born at 34 weeks due to Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) with no known cause, so my doctor got me on this as quickly as possible, and the baby is growing well, and the ultrasound shows all organs and limbs are there."

• Cec...
• October 9, 2017

"I began taking this at 16 weeks, and I have experienced blurred vision, water retention, and most importantly, depression. It's beyond the norm of pregnancy hormones that are all over the place. I have mentioned it to my NP, and she recommended Zoloft. I have PTSD and was on Zoloft years ago. I have been able to be med-free after Zoloft, and I feel like I have taken a giant step backwards with this medication. I am afraid to stop it and go into preterm (30 weeks). This is a hard choice. I don't like feeling like I'm crazy because I know I'm not :("

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2019

"I have gone through rounds of fertility treatment, all requiring shots, intramuscular and subcutaneous in nature. I have given them to myself, had my spouse administer, had provider administer. This is my second pregnancy with a P17 shot. The Makena shot that I am currently taking is a prefilled syringe that you administer in the back of the arm. This is hands down the most painful shot I have ever had. It is absolutely terrible. Is there a reason they are no longer given in the hip? It is a million times less painful and equally effective. It leaves my arm in pain for DAYS!!!! In addition, it’s absurdly expensive."

• Its...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2016

"I had my 1st daughter at 33 weeks and 3 days due to 'unknown.' I had no issues during the pregnancy, and it was easy. I'm now pregnant with my 2nd daughter and went into preterm labor at 32 weeks and 4 days, they were able to stop the contractions and have given me the steroid shots. I am currently 4.5 cm dilated with minor contractions throughout the day. I'm 34 weeks and 5 days at the moment. I think Makena has taken me farther, but I have had a lot of my pain from the injections that shoot down my leg into my foot periodically, not the same day I get the shot. If I had to, I would take Makena again."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2018

"I had my first son at 32 weeks. I then suffered from a series of miscarriages. I am now 16 weeks pregnant and just started using Makena today. I wanted to let anyone know that, actually, it did not hurt. I will come back to rate this shot and tell you all how long the baby stayed in, but when I was searching this site, I wanted to know 1. If it hurt and 2. If it worked. So I will come back and let you all know how long the baby stays in, but please do not be scared from all of the comments that it hurt. I was terrified, and it felt like a normal shot. Thank you. * I have been at work the remainder of the day and have no side effects, I don't even feel it anymore."

• And...
• April 18, 2018

"I had my first baby at 27 weeks due to an incompetent cervix. When I got pregnant with #2, my maternal-fetal medicine doctor prescribed me these shots. I started them at 16 weeks (cervical incompetence happens between 16-24 weeks). I'm now 35 weeks and 3 days with no issues and one shot left. They work for your cervix and if you have an irritable uterus. Some of the reviews on this page have nothing to do with the side effects of this shot. Side effects I've had are: headache, appetite change, weight gain, body ache, and discharge. This is a medication, so it's different for everyone. Just as how the shot works is different for everyone. The people at Makena call every month for an update on how my pregnancy is going. My insurance covered my shots 100%, my OB said they're $3,500 each. I would absolutely recommend these shots. I would take them again if I were to get pregnant again, but I don't intend to. They hurt, it's a 20-gauge needle injecting a thick medication into your upper butt."

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2017

"I had my second child at 35 weeks. My insurance told me that the Makena shot would help me not to have a premature baby. The shot hurt a lot, and it burned every time I took it. I started taking it at 20 weeks pregnant. I had my baby at 29 weeks, my water broke early. So I believe the Makena shot didn't work for me. I really regret taking it, it was a waste of money for my insurance to pay for. Now my baby is in the NICU, she's doing fine, but if I ever get pregnant again, I'm not taking the Makena shot ever again, it doesn't work."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2017

"Had my first at 32 weeks. She was in the NICU for almost 2 months. Ultimately, we decided to try again. My doctor started me on the Makena shots at 16 weeks. The shot itself didn't hurt going in because I would make the nurse pinch my arm. It burned going in a little. In the beginning, I had a site reaction of swelling, warmth, itchiness, and sometimes soreness like I was punched in the arm. Around the halfway point, that all went away. I did experience some dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, but now that I'm down to my last 3 shots, no side effects. Also, I recommend alternating arms. It hurts less than hips. Makena care connection is available. If you can't afford."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2019

"My son was born at 28 weeks 4 days due to unexpected cervical shortening. He stayed in the NICU for 72 days. And now he is a very healthy and happy kid who is about to turn 5 in March. I am currently 20 weeks pregnant. I started my injections at 17 weeks and am having cervical length ultrasounds every 2 weeks to monitor my cervix. So far, everything is fine, cervical length is at 4 cm. The shots do hurt for a couple of days. My healthcare provider said it's less painful in the arm, but the pain lasts longer. On the other hand, it's more painful on the hip when shots are given, but the pain doesn't last long. I got my shots in my arms because I am a medical assistant, and I know that if the person who is administering the shots in your hip hits the wrong spot, you can be paralyzed. Other than pain and itch, no other side effects for me so far. Fingers crossed. Hope it all is worth it and the baby stays longer in my belly."