Makena for Premature Labor User Reviews (Page 5)

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2019

"So, my doctor recommended the Makena shot because I had my second daughter at 35 weeks, and my last 2 children, I kept having to go to the hospital and get shots for contractions for preterm labor because I was dilating. I had pain in my arm from the shot, and my arms itched and lumped up for weeks. I had to switch to the generic because it was too pricey, and the manufacturer ran out of the medication after my 4th shot. The generic wasn't much better. It left itching, burning, and lumps. Having the injection site in my upper buttocks was much easier. I am almost 35 weeks now, and I've been to the hospital consistently since 24 weeks with contractions and such. Now I have a huge lump in my right buttocks that hurts real bad and itches. I feel like it has sort of kept me from going into full-blown labor, but only with the help from 4 other medications."

• 3rd...
• May 16, 2018

"I just started this medication, and I'm hoping it works as well as it has for other moms who have used it to prevent preterm labor. This will be my third baby, and although the shots are uncomfortable, her little life is more important to me than that. I am taking the new Makena auto injectors, so no shot in the butt or hip, ladies, just in the arm, so it's supposedly less painful."

• Bec...
• June 18, 2018

"My daughter was born 6 weeks early due to spontaneous rupture of membranes. For this pregnancy, my perinatologist ‘suggested’ Makena, so I obliged, but I wish I had been more prepared for the cost. My Makena injections cost $43,240.20 ($2,882.68 per claim), and my insurance (BCBS of OK) has only paid $1,246.85 of it. The first order for Makena was made 1/6/17, my son was born 5/7/17, and today’s date is 6/18/18. So far, I have received bills from my specialty pharmacy totaling over $2,000, and I assume it will start to climb. I need to call my insurance. I’m not sure if there are any cheaper alternatives or any alternatives for Makena at all, but do your homework if the cost could set you back. I have no way of knowing if Makena actually prevented premature delivery with my son. He was born at 39 weeks. I did not take my last 3 Makena injections because of the shooting pain down my legs."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2019

"I had 3 premature births, all between 32 and 34 weeks, so when I recently got pregnant with my 4th child, which was a boy, my doctor advised me to start the Makena injections without telling me the pros or cons. Well, at 21 weeks, I went into the hospital and had a stillborn baby and honestly believe it was from the injections, too many hormones being injected into my body. If I had known more about these shots, I would have never started them, they left me sore and crampy. It might work for some women, but not all."

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

"I got the IM injections with my previous pregnancy. I didn’t recall any awful side effects besides some hives that went away with hydrocortisone. I have a drug sensitivity to the progesterone, but unfortunately, there isn’t an alternative, so I thought I'd try a different form. So this pregnancy, I got the Makena auto-injection SQ into the arms. It is extremely painful and causes nausea after the shot, and I have a huge lump. No pressure can be put on that arm or it hurts an incredible amount. I still have a few left I’ll use, but once I’m done, I’ll go back to the hip IM injections. They were not anywhere near as painful."

• Rya...
• July 24, 2019

"Started Makena at 16 weeks after having my last son at 27 weeks with PPROM. Currently 34+3, 2 more shots to go. I’m not sure what kind of injections other reviewers are getting, mine is in my hip, but I have absolutely no pain, itching, lumps, or side effects. It doesn’t bother me one bit to get them! Seems to have done the job so far!"

• Cai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2021

"Makena is amazing. Yes, the cost is outrageous, but they worked with me to come up with a really good plan to pay way less. I hate the arm shots, I would prefer the hip shots 10 times over the arm. My son came at 31 weeks, five days, due to PROM. I started Makena with my second pregnancy, and she came at 36 and 6 days!!! My sister also had an amazing experience with it, and so did other preemie moms that I personally know! Please do not take this off the market. What other drug do you have to keep babies in???"

• Haz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2018

"First child was born at 34 weeks-leaked fluid and had a baby 7 hours later. Painless, vaginal, no med labor and gave birth to my daughter weighing 5 lb 5 oz and in perfect health. 2nd child they put me on Makena and no issues. Last shot at 36 weeks and my water leaked again the day of my 36-week check-up but was 36 weeks and 6 days-they considered me 37 weeks. Son born healthy and no issues at 7 lbs 9 oz. I am on my 3rd pregnancy and so far so good. Expecting to give birth to another son around 37 weeks again. Last shot should be at 36 weeks, so we shall see what happens. Only difference in this pregnancy is I have a single umbilical artery (SUA), usually, there are two. So we have to get an ultrasound every 4 weeks to measure baby and be sure he is growing well, and that heart, kidneys, brain, etc. all look good. They want me to be induced no later than 37 weeks, but I'm opting to not be induced because this baby will come out when ready. Giving my body till 38 weeks to naturally induce before I let them intervene."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2018

"I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant with my 5th child. My 1st three children were delivered at 34, 36, and 33 weeks, with my 4th child born at 39 weeks because I was put on bed rest. With this pregnancy, I was offered the option to try the Makena shot. I go every week to get my shot. The pain and discomfort are very little, considering that I have the chance to have a full-term delivery and bring home my baby once I get discharged. It’s heartbreaking after going through all the morning sickness and the pain from labor and delivery to come home empty-handed. I suffer from migraine headaches, and the only thing is that I get them more frequently now. But all I have is 5 more shots to go, and I’ll be all done. I buy itchy cream, I use cold or heating pads, because my baby's life and well-being have more value to me than a few bumps and bruises on my butt cheeks that will fade away in a few weeks. I recommend it. Good luck!"

• Jen...
• December 12, 2017

"I was prescribed this after I told my OBGYN that I had my first son at 35 weeks. At 16 weeks, I started Makena with my second son. After 7 injections, the side effects I have experienced have been horrible, with itching all over my body. I have depression and anxiety already, and my OBGYN knew this and prescribed this anyway, and now after my 7th shot, I am really down! With depression so severe that all I do is cry all day! I'm 25 weeks tomorrow, and there is no way I can continue this shot! I had a beautiful love affair with my BF, and now all we do is fight, and I catch myself yelling and being extremely moody, and our whole relationship is falling apart! If you have depression or mental health issues, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!"

• mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2017

"I used Makena during my pregnancy and also had a cervical stitch put in at 17 weeks. Had a healthy baby girl. Would totally recommend it to anyone in a high-risk pregnancy. ☺ Just wondering if anyone else who has used the injection experienced irregular periods lasting a lot longer than you had anticipated?"

• Car...
• September 26, 2017

"I started these shots 16 weeks ago. I'm now 35 weeks. I've had many side effects: retaining fluid twice, headaches all the time, nausea, and I had high blood pressure once. I think I would have rather tried to do this pregnancy on my own. Yes, I've had early-term pregnancy, but all pregnancies are different, and I think I would have been better off without the Makena this time."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2019

"Insanely expensive - did not find this out until halfway through my amount of injections that they were charging my insurance $1500 per shot! Insurance 'covered' half, leaving me with $750ish a shot. No one told me they would be this expensive. Hopefully, I can save someone the surprise. I get them in the hip, alternating sides each time. Some days it hurts, others, it doesn't. I think it really depends on who is administering."

• mam...
• January 7, 2019

"I am currently almost 12 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first pregnancy, I had my son at 34 weeks and 4 days. I talked to the doctor today, 1/7/19, about the Makena shot. I am very iffy about this shot. I usually NEVER put anything medication-wise into my body, but if this actually helps with premature labor, it's worth it. So with that being said, from experience from other mommies, does this shot work? Is it worth the hassle of going to my doctors once a week to get this shot?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2017

"My firstborn came at 35 weeks. She weighed 6 pounds. Had a high level of jaundice, so we had to stay a few extra days. My second came at 36 weeks, which is still considered late preterm. She weighed 5 pounds and 7 oz. The only issue was her weight. And both had problems keeping down breast milk. They would spit up after feedings. I switched my OBGYN, and she suggested using the Makena injections with my third. I am 38 weeks pregnant, and I cannot be happier with the results. Makena does work. No complications. When given the injection, it is painful and may get red and itchy where the shot was given, but that's normal. There are also other side effects, which your doctor should go over with you."

• dda...
• February 5, 2021

"So last Thursday, I had gotten my Makena, and yesterday I got it once again. This time it is so different from my first time getting it. I'm having such a hard time walking. I'm so over it, and it is barely the start. I'm going to tell my doctor about it. These symptoms are horrible, I'm weak all over my body. I have a headache, I just feel very drowsy. My firstborn came at 36 weeks and 1 day, but he's so healthy, so there's no need for me to do this. I'm done."

• Hil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

"I just started the Makena shots last week at 16 weeks, and so far I haven’t experienced any depression or crazy symptoms I’ve read. My arm does hurt for days after the shot, and the medicine is freaking painful, but the needle itself does hurt, lol. I had my son at 35 weeks, so if this will just help me a few more weeks, it’ll be great. I start doing them on my own next week, and I’m super nervous about it since my first nurse hurt me, and my second didn't, so she must’ve done something right."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2020

"Current price is just outrageous and pure greed. There is no doubt that HP helps, but at that price, I fear that many will risk taking chances by not using it. I remember when I prescribed the usage at $12 for five shots. What happened?"

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

"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."

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2017

"My oldest was born at 24 weeks, 4 days due to unexplained preterm labor. We were in the NICU till his due date. He’s thrived, but it was a long journey. When we got pregnant with our 2nd, I started Makena at 16 weeks and took it the prescribed time. Had no issues with my insurance or the shots. We went to just over 39 weeks and had a healthy baby. I am pregnant a 3rd time and just started the shots at 17 weeks. Currently, the only issue has been getting it started. Insurance approved immediately, but had a snafu with the specialty pharmacy that messed it up and took a couple of weeks to fix it."

• NAM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2018

"Makena is a great shot to take. However, I found out that there is a drug shortage until 2019. There is a generic brand, but there are no copay assistance programs out there. From what the pharmacist explained, there are grants to help reimburse you, and then if that does not work, they can send you an application for hardship. I was told insurance was going to cover them and that we qualified for care connection, but I have gotten two bills so far stating we owe $3,200 for each month of supplies. I started the shots at 16 weeks because we delivered our daughter at 34 weeks, but my water broke partially at 25 weeks. I am now 25 weeks and just found out about the shortage of these Makena shots yesterday. They should be back in stock around 2019. I am terrified because I take my shots on Thursday and I start cramping and having pressure normally a day or two before. So now I am without shots for about two weeks. Does anyone know if that will cause preterm labor?"

• Hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2022

"Three weeks after taking my last injection (only took two because side effects were too much), I now have burning, itching, welt/hive-like, hot, raised spots (about 4x4 area) on the back of both arms where injections were done."

• Ltu...
• September 4, 2021

"I had a miscarriage back in 2017 with a perfectly healthy pregnancy, at 13 weeks. I then had my daughter at 25 weeks in 2020. I started the Makena shots with this pregnancy at 16 weeks. I had my last shot at almost 35 weeks. I have made it way further in this pregnancy, and I believe it’s due to the shots."

• JR9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2022

"I am going on my third pregnancy. Both of my previous babies were premature. One at 27 weeks (he is extremely healthy now) and the other at 34 weeks, which I was taking 17P shots with. I was for certain that these same weekly shots were going to be taken for this pregnancy. HOWEVER, this is a whole different method of receiving this medication. Currently, I am 21 weeks on my 4th injection, and my right arm has a lump the size of a golf ball and is infected. I am scheduled to have surgery tomorrow. It’s quite scary because of the possibility of premature labor, but I have faith and I DO NOT recommend this shot to anyone. It has more cons than pros."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

"I started the shot at 19 weeks because I was hesitant, as this pregnancy has been night and day different than my previous. Our first pregnancy, I PPROM’d at 14 weeks and then finally miscarried at 19 weeks. I had issues for 6 months after the miscarriage and found out through my naturopathic doctor how low my normal progesterone levels are. So does it actually work? No idea, and my OB admitted that too. I’m 36 weeks, she is measuring ahead, and tomorrow is my last injection. Between myself, my OB, and naturopathic, we figured it couldn’t hurt anything to get the extra boost, given my regular levels, past, and that I’m geriatric (36 years). I get it in my hip and I do get the sore welts. Do I have an incredibly healthy baby growing in me? Yes. Every pregnancy is different, and we shall see how long she waits after my last tomorrow. For the next kid, I probably won’t do the injections again if I am having another uncomplicated pregnancy by 18 weeks."