Makena and Swelling: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mon...
• June 24, 2018

For Premature Labor "My first child was born at 25 weeks, 4 days due to premature labor. The doctors didn't know how to stop my contractions and didn't believe me that my contractions were getting worse until they checked my cervix. I had to have an emergency c-section moments later, and my daughter was immediately life-flighted to another hospital that had a NICU. She spent 96 days in the hospital. This was in April 2015. I am now pregnant with my second child and see a new OB/GYN who recommended these injections. I started them at 16 weeks and am now 30 weeks, 3 days and only have 5 more shots to go. Besides some injection site itchiness and a lump (similar to a mosquito bite), I would recommend this shot to anyone who has gone through premature labor. I cannot wait to see what this shot has in store for me over these next few weeks."

• 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."

• Kit...
• August 17, 2017

For Premature Labor "I had spontaneous premature labor with my first pregnancy and delivered my son at 30 weeks, 1 day after two days of attempts to stop my labor. I received the Makena injection beginning at 19 weeks during my second pregnancy and received my last shot at 35 weeks, 5 days, I believe. I had my daughter 8 days later at 36 weeks, 6 days, so almost what is considered full term. I'm currently pregnant with my third and began the injections at 19 weeks again this time. I'm 35 weeks now, and as of last week, my cervix was still high and closed. I've not had any side effects from the shots other than injection site reactions a few times, such as some itching, swelling, and a lump/knot. My overall experience has been good, definitely worth it!"

• 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!"

• NPa...
• February 24, 2021

For Premature Labor "Well, I was open to using Makena as directed by my OB due to preterm labor with my first child at 35 weeks. I started the auto injector and immediately had severe pain with radiating symptoms into my elbow. The pain was deep, and I could hardly move my elbow, it swelled up so much on day three or four from the injection. I never really had significant site reaction until injections two through four. I handled the second and third injection much better and thought I was improving in my tolerability of this medication, just some arm soreness along the back of the arm that lasted about a week. Then, my fourth injection was terrible. I had significant itching and a flare-up of rash, hives, and swelling on both posterior arms. I decided the misery was enough, my stress and discomfort and poor sleep were likely causing more distress in this pregnancy than the potential benefit of the injection. So, I stopped it!"

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2017

For Premature Labor "Had my first at 32 weeks. She was in the NICU for almost 2 months. Ultimately, we decided to try again. My doctor started me on the Makena shots at 16 weeks. The shot itself didn't hurt going in because I would make the nurse pinch my arm. It burned going in a little. In the beginning, I had a site reaction of swelling, warmth, itchiness, and sometimes soreness like I was punched in the arm. Around the halfway point, that all went away. I did experience some dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, but now that I'm down to my last 3 shots, no side effects. Also, I recommend alternating arms. It hurts less than hips. Makena care connection is available. If you can't afford."

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

For Premature Labor "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."