Makena and Bruising: What Users Say

• DRo...
• March 28, 2018

For Premature Labor "Don’t listen to ignorant people who swear against the shot and warn people not to use it. It’s okay to say it didn’t work for you, but to tell others to risk the health of their baby based on the fact it fails for some is infuriating. I had my 1st at 26 weeks. When I got pregnant with my 2nd, it was recommended to take the shot. While doing research and asking appropriate questions, you will know that the shot isn't 100% effective to stop preterm labor. There are so many other reasons and complications that could have occurred to make you go into labor early. It will not help anyone who has an incompetent cervix, etc. I'm 30 weeks with my 2nd pregnancy and have no complications. I get itchy lumps and bruises, but the chance of giving birth early and risking lifelong complications based on being sad, crying all day is so pathetic. You can suck it up if you're more concerned with having a healthy baby. Don’t make your decision based on people who are more concerned with a bruise than they are with the chance of having a healthy baby."

• Reg...
• August 24, 2015

For Premature Labor "I started Makena at week 16 after my doctor recommended it due to my history of preterm labor at 33 and 35 weeks, where my water would break for unknown reasons. I am a healthy woman, I do not drink or smoke. I took this injection for 19 weeks and experienced headaches and pain/bruising/itching at the injection site. I made it to 34 weeks, and my water broke in the morning while I was getting ready for work. 19 weeks of dealing with this pain, and not to mention the hefty price tag, and my baby is still in the NICU. Makena did not work for me!!"

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2018

For Premature Labor "Currently 35 weeks pregnant with my third child and just stopped receiving the injections. My second daughter was born at 33 weeks due to spontaneous premature rupture of membranes. I would say these shots have been effective. My side effects were present for the first 10 weeks or so, they included: pain and swelling, bruising, itchiness, headaches, and lightheadedness. My husband is active duty, and we have Tricare. Each time I called to refill a prescription, I was quoted $0 and told the medication was 100% covered by the pharmacy. Now that I am finished with the injections, the pharmacy is saying I owe thousands, and there is a pending investigation to see if I will be responsible for payment or not. Either way, I'm glad I did these injections because no price is worth risking your child's health. So overall, this was a great and effective medicine with mild side effects, but if you go through Accredo Pharmacy, you will likely be scammed."

• MSL...
• August 23, 2018

For Premature Labor "I have started my shots, and so far everything went well. I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and praying this helps. I lost a son in 2017 at 19 weeks, and with this pregnancy, I was told I have a short cervix. I was given a cervical cerclage at 19 weeks and also given my first Makena shot. I then waited for an approval from my insurance company for 2 weeks and was finally approved. I was very scared after reading the risks and other people's experiences. But I prayed about it, put my fears aside, and decided to continue with the shot for a better chance at a good outcome. I heard that the injections hurt, but it felt like any other shot to me. It was given in my hip/butt and only has a bit of an itch. I do see a little dot of a bruise at my first site and a little bump, but nothing too alarming. I hope this helps me carry my little one full term and that I have a healthy child."

• Wen...
• September 13, 2018

For Premature Labor "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!"

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

For Premature Labor "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."