Makena and Bumps: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For Premature Labor "I had my baby at 34 weeks and 6 days. I was told to take Makena with baby number 2, due April 2, 2020. I started taking them with bumps, redness, and now itchiness. It hurts, but contractions hurt more ;) Anything for the safety of my baby boy. I went in for my 20-week ultrasound today, and my hi-risk OB said a new study came out 2 weeks ago stating that Makena does not work and those not taking it shouldn't. I've only had 3 shots so far, and they recommended I stay away from it because of the discomfort. If the study finds that it does not reduce premature labor, there is no point in me taking them. I'll follow up with a post-baby post to share when he actually came vs. with my daughter for those still questioning. Google 'FDA Advisory Board Votes to Recommend Withdrawing Progesterone Therapy for Preterm Birth' to find the article."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

For Premature Labor "I started the Makena auto injector at 18 weeks. I get it in my hip and alternate sides weekly. My husband administers the shots because I couldn't go to the office every week for this long. Placement is key with getting it not to burn like heck. If it's more than an inch or so off, it burns so bad! I do have lots of lumps at the injection sites, and they itch even 2-3 weeks after getting it. I had my first baby at 39 weeks, and my 2nd was IUGR, and I had her at 36 weeks and 2 days, so this time around, my OB prescribed the Makena injections. Today marks 36 weeks and 2 days into this pregnancy, and as of yesterday, I am 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced, and the baby is at 0 station, which means his head is VERY low. I definitely think the progesterone has helped with keeping him cooking as long as he has been."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Premature Labor "I had my first daughter at 35 weeks, and she had to stay in the NICU for 3 weeks. My doctor suggested Makena shots for my current pregnancy. I started them at 16 weeks, and I will continue to get them until I'm 36 weeks. I'm currently 33 weeks! I receive the shot in the back of my upper arm. It itches, stings, and causes lumps, but all of that is bearable. It isn't bad at all. My cervix has remained long and closed, and I haven't had any issues so far!"

• 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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• Rya...
• July 24, 2019

For Premature Labor "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!"

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

For Premature Labor "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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2022

For Premature Labor "I have started Makena at 16 weeks pregnant. In the beginning, they were very painful and had the side effects of bumps and itchiness every week. The doctor prescribed triamcinolone to help with itchiness, which worked well, and put a warm compress on the bumps and massaged them, and they went away. The shots got better after a while. Just got the last shot today at 36 weeks and feel fine."