Makena and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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!"

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

For Premature Labor "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!"

• Hig...
• October 13, 2019

For Premature Labor "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."

• Hig...
• October 13, 2019

For Premature Labor "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

For Premature Labor "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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• 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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• 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!"

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

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

For Premature Labor "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."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2021

For Premature Labor "I started getting Makena injections at 17 weeks due to my last baby being born 6 weeks early. Yes, I had pain and itching at the injection site, sleepy after getting the shot. But for the most part, it was okay. I’m now 39 weeks, and I’m so ready to have my little one, and he isn’t budging. I have lightning crunches, and I guess Braxton Hicks all day long. Still no water break, so I guess the injections are doing what they should, keeping my man in till term, but I’m just ready now."

• 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."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2017

For Premature Labor "Not worth it. I went into early labor with my first three pregnancies, which all got stopped with a pill around 34 weeks. I ended up actually having them at 37 weeks, 37 weeks, and 36 weeks. Now with pregnancy (4th), my doc encouraged me to use the Makena shots. I started them at about 18 weeks. Not only are they very expensive, but getting them every week was a huge hassle! Plus, they hurt when getting injected, and the longer I got them, they became more painful and itchy, and I even got a huge bruise one time. Plus, they made me feel off, and I felt shaky and sore. Then to top it all off, I still got random contractions, and I started to dilate at 30 weeks. So in my book, I feel like it was way more stress and hassle to deal with, and a ton of $."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2017

For Premature Labor "Not worth it. I went into early labor with my first three pregnancies, which all got stopped with a pill around 34 weeks. I ended up actually having them at 37 weeks, 37 weeks, and 36 weeks. Now with pregnancy (4th), my doc encouraged me to use the Makena shots. I started them at about 18 weeks. Not only are they very expensive, but getting them every week was a huge hassle! Plus, they hurt when getting injected, and the longer I got them, they became more painful and itchy, and I even got a huge bruise one time. Plus, they made me feel off, and I felt shaky and sore. Then to top it all off, I still got random contractions, and I started to dilate at 30 weeks. So in my book, I feel like it was way more stress and hassle to deal with, and a ton of $."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2023

For Premature Labor "Had PPROM and spontaneous birth at 29 and 30 weeks with my first baby. 39-day NICU stay. I am now pregnant with my second and my OB prescribed Makena, 240 mg auto-injector, starting at 16 weeks. I had my third shot today, all in the arm. The injection is fairly simple. A small needle you don’t see administered in the back of the arm for about 10-15 seconds. You don’t feel the injection, but you will feel the effects after which includes (for me) pain, numbness, burning, and itching in the arm and shoulder. This only lasts for 4-5 hours and I am back to normal. The worst part is just having to schedule weekly appointments as I am incredibly hopeful this will help me carry my second to full term. If you are considering or been prescribed this, go through the wonderful team with CareConnect to see if you can get the manufacturer discount."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

For Premature Labor "I'm 18 weeks and 4 days and just got my first shot today. I did get a cerclage at 17 weeks. Just over a week ago, I saw a review that the shot doesn’t work on an incompetent cervix. Overall, the shot is very painful. I received mine in the back of my arm, my arm is so sore it hurts to move it or rest it on anything. I've been getting weird little coming and going pains. It honestly feels like a burn, it’s very sensitive. I’m receiving the shot because I went into premature labor with my first child at 32 weeks and had him at 36. I lost my second child when my water broke at 19 weeks and 3 days and had her at 20 weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

For Premature Labor "I'm 18 weeks and 4 days and just got my first shot today. I did get a cerclage at 17 weeks. Just over a week ago, I saw a review that the shot doesn’t work on an incompetent cervix. Overall, the shot is very painful. I received mine in the back of my arm, my arm is so sore it hurts to move it or rest it on anything. I've been getting weird little coming and going pains. It honestly feels like a burn, it’s very sensitive. I’m receiving the shot because I went into premature labor with my first child at 32 weeks and had him at 36. I lost my second child when my water broke at 19 weeks and 3 days and had her at 20 weeks."