Makena and Itching: 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."

• Lys...
• February 20, 2020

For Premature Labor "My first pregnancy was with my daughter, who was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 lb 12 oz with a brain bleed, MRSA, and a yeast infection. She is a healthy, happy 8-year-old now (I thank God every day). My son was born at 32 weeks, weighing 3 lb 15 oz. He was perfectly healthy, though in the NICU for 3 weeks, which was amazing compared to his sister, who spent 4 months. I started the injections at 19 weeks, I am at 23 weeks now. I know I can make it to 32 weeks without the injections, just praying I can make it to 36 weeks. I get the injections in my hip (I am a little lady), so far, my cervix is measuring perfectly, unlike the other two. I do not get the bumps, itchiness, burning, etc., symptoms like most people I have read. My hip is sore for a couple of days, that’s it. I soak in a warm bath, then have hubby rub my hip very lightly to get the fluid moving around. That seems to help tremendously!!! Good luck and sending prayers for you other mommas out there in the same boat and for healthy babies!!!!"

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

For Premature Labor "I had my first child at 28w 5d. Baby stayed in NICU for almost 3 months but perfectly healthy now and 4 years old! This pregnancy, I started Makena at 16w 3d, and I got my last shot of Makena at 35w 3d (arm injections), and I’m now 37 weeks and 50% effaced and not dilated. Been having contractions like crazy but still no baby, hoping to have her soon. I’ve never been this far along, and I am miserable. Hope baby comes soon but set to be induced in two weeks. Makena has worked great for me, no problems. The shot burns a little, and the site itches a week later but worth not having a baby in NICU. Looking forward to a better experience in the hospital this time and getting to hold my baby immediately and have her in the room with me and go home when I do :)"

• OCM...
• May 29, 2020

For Premature Labor "My OBGYN recommended taking Makena. Starting at 16 weeks, I started my Makena shots. I had an adverse reaction to the injections, as many stated: site injection, itching, burning, and swelling that lasted about a week, on top of drowsiness and next-day pelvic pain that caused me an inability to walk. I continued to take the injections for a total of 4 injections, after each injection, I would have the same reaction, sleeping almost the entire day and experiencing pelvic pain, unable to walk the next day. At 18 weeks, I was hospitalized for severe pain, but the fetus was growing normally. At 19 weeks, I spoke to my OB about the side effects, and she said she had never heard of this complaint yet. I called their customer service line and Amax Pharmaceuticals, and they also had never heard of these reported side effects. So I will no longer be taking Makena, as it is causing my body more harm than good."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2019

For Premature Labor "I would 100% recommend the Makena shot! I had my first son at 33.6 weeks. I started getting the Makena shot at 17 weeks until 35 weeks. I am currently 37 weeks and still pregnant and not dilated at all. The shot is pretty painful at first, but after the first few, you get used to soreness/itchiness. But is it worth having a healthy baby? YES."

• 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."

• Swe...
• June 18, 2015

For Premature Labor "My first baby was born at 31 weeks due to placental abruption. My doctor recommended Makena injections with my second pregnancy. I took the injections until 36 weeks. My only side effect was pain and itching at the injection site for several days after the shot. I had contractions at 34 weeks but did not dilate. Started having signs of labor a week after my last shot and delivered at 37 1/2 weeks."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2019

For Premature Labor "I started my injections at 19/20 weeks, and I got my last shot last week @ 35w6d. I rotated arms each week. At first, they were making my arms feel heavy and itchy, but I think my arms got used to it because they eventually stopped. But I became really emotional taking the shots. Also, I’ve had shooting pains in my vagina almost daily, and I’ve looked it up, totally not related to the injections, but I was hoping at my 36w6d check-up I’d be more than 1cm dilated... nope, I’m not. And today, I’m 37w1d and impatiently waiting to meet this little guy."

• 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!!"

• 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!"

• Bba...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 21, 2019

For Premature Labor "Last year, I had a stillborn when I was close to 6 months due to stress. This time, my doctors advised the Makena shot to keep me from having preterm labor. On top of everything else, I was taking all precautions to have a safe pregnancy. Now I'm 34 weeks and 3 days, the Makena has been helping tremendously. I receive my shots in the back of my arms, when it's injected, it does feel like alcohol on an open wound. In the beginning, the shots did itch and swell a lot, but the trick is if you don't scratch, it will go away. As you get further in, the itchiness is a lot tougher to deal with, but I apply Aveeno anti-itch cream to the back of my arms after I bathe, and I honestly don't feel the itching anymore."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2019

For Premature Labor "My first I had at 29 weeks, so my last 2 I was on this. That's when they would give a shot in the butt. No problems. Now for this one, I'm getting the injections in my arm. Omg. It hurt and burned for days, then itched. A week later and I still have a red round bump. They worked, though, for me. Once I stop at 36 weeks, I'd go into labor 2-3 days after."

• Moe...
• October 19, 2019

For Premature Labor "I've been taking the Makena shot for about 6 or 7 weeks now. At first, I couldn't breathe the first week of getting it, I had shortness of breath. Then, in the spot where the doc injected me, it itched like crazy, and I had a lump. Now my hip is so sore I can barely lift my leg or walk to the bathroom. I don't see why I'm getting the shot. I had my 1st child at 36 weeks and my 2nd at 37 weeks. You would think they would've given me the shot when I was pregnant the 2nd time around. I really don't recommend this shot to anyone."

• 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."

• Boy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2018

For Premature Labor "I had two children born early. One at 32 weeks and one at 34 weeks, not sure why. Now with my third child, they started me at 16 weeks on the Makena shot. The injection spot is in my arm, and we trade from left to right each week. After a couple of shots, the spot started to get itchy and hurt even more. Each injection is very painful, but I feel it’s worth it for my child to stay in there longer. I didn’t go through my insurance, I just went through an insurance that helps you pay for the shots. It is CVS Pharmacy, and I paid $50 a month for all four shots. I got my last shot at 36 weeks, they checked me, and I was dilated to 3 cm with 70% effaced. I am currently 37 weeks and 2 days, having mild contractions on and off. I also lost my mucus plug, so I am hoping any day now."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2020

For Premature Labor "I lost twins at 24 weeks. My second pregnancy, I had my daughter at 31 weeks, so my OB suggested Makena for this pregnancy. I started the auto injector shots in the back of my arm at 17 weeks and will be 36 weeks tomorrow. I definitely think they are the reason I have made it this far in pregnancy. The shots are painful, but honestly, the pain doesn’t last long. It’s a burning sensation. I had some itchiness at the shot site a few days after, but nothing unbearable. I would totally recommend them. I know they are expensive, but I am lucky that we have good insurance that covers the price."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2019

For Premature Labor "My OB recommended me to get Makena shots, hydroprogesterone shots, for my current pregnancy because my last baby was born at 35 weeks for no reason. I’ve been getting it since 16 weeks, and I stopped at 35 weeks. I am currently 37 weeks along, and so far, so good. I got the ones injected on top of my buttocks, and sometimes it burns, sometimes it doesn’t. Depending on which side of my buttock I got the shot, it makes that side very sore and makes me unable to sleep on that side for a few nights. It itches where I was given the shot, even my hands developed hives and itched. This shot tends to make me very hot, more than usual. It was sort of uncomfortable, but eventually, I got used to it. I think it’s worth it for the baby."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Premature Labor "I had my first child at 34 weeks with no complications. When my doctor mentioned the shot to me while I was pregnant with my daughter, I was skeptical. I was never big on medicines or anything being injected into my body. I decided to get the shot anyway. My OB was very kind to give me info on having a nurse from an outside agency come to my house each week to give the shot. Other than itching for the first few weeks, I did not experience any other side effects. I went 39 weeks and had a very healthy baby girl."

• Dow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Premature Labor "Who knows if it works or not? I am leery of the lack of studies, especially following up on children in the years after they are born. There is so much pressure to receive these shots, but go with your gut. They hurt. I have had both the auto injector (in the arm) and the regular (in the muscle of your butt). Both caused side effects. I had one in my arm, and it itched and hurt for over a month after I received it. I had several in my butt that hurt for days at the injection site, sometimes pain down my leg, and I would develop a hard lump under the skin at the injection site. I have never felt more depressed, and it makes your urine smell something awful. Keeping the hope that the benefits are real and are worth the damage I may be doing to my body or my unborn baby. Who knows what will develop in the future from injecting ourselves with synthetic materials."

• Tas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Premature Labor "10 years ago, I had a son premature at 26 weeks, however, I had no clue that I was pregnant with him. Now I am 28 weeks pregnant. My cervix is short at 1.8 cm, and I think that was one of the reasons why I went into premature labor. I was given Makena at 16 weeks, and everything is going well: no contractions, or pain, or any signs of labor. The Makena does hurt and sometimes leaves me itchy, but I do believe that it is working."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Premature Labor "I have no idea how some of these ladies are administering the SC injection compared to the IM injection, but wow! The pain of the large gauge needle deep in my muscle is so, so much more painful than the quick SC injection. Either way, it's all about my baby, and the SC injection makes things so much easier, faster, and very little pain besides slight burning at the site of injection, itching, and slight bump once in a while. This has worked best for me: cold ice behind the arm for a couple of minutes, then relax the arm and let it hang down, and have someone administer it from behind. It's fast and no, no pain at all compared to the IM. Still can't believe people think the SC has more pain than the IM. Hopefully, this helps, so they can have pain-free injection while having a healthy baby. Good luck, moms."

• 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."

• can...
• December 4, 2019

For Premature Labor "I started receiving the shot at 16 weeks. I’m currently 31 weeks, 4 days. I had my first son prematurely at 32 weeks. I got the shot injection in the side of my hip, and it caused a lump and was itchy the next day or two. I felt dizzy, blurred vision felt like I was going to pass out. I was weak and also was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with this pregnancy, which my doctor failed to let me know the side effects this shot causes. I would strongly read the information paper the bottle comes with before you inject it."