Anyone familiar with taking Makena?

Antoe2007

I am not sure if this is the right board - my last baby was 6 weeks premature and i am pregnant now.   They are recommending i take this shot starting this week.  Thanks for any information you may have.  Thanks

KatFCo

Makena is the brand name of the 17p shot. I got the shot from a compounding pharmacy, so it wasn't specifically Makena, but it's pretty much the same thing only cheaper.

I got the shot weekly from weeks 16-36. It's best to alternate hips. It can make the injection spot sore, but for me it was only really sore the first time. Some people have their DHs do it so they don't have to go in to the doctor's office every week. I had a friend of mine who's a physician and another friend who's a nurse alternate giving it to me.

It's shown good results. The purpose of it is to relax the uterus to prevent contractions.

Antoe2007

Did you have any side effects?  Thank you so much by the way!

KatFCo

Antoe2007:

Did you have any side effects?  Thank you so much by the way!

Other than itching at the injection site, no, but I think some people have reported others. You might try the high risk pregnancy board. Lots of women there have taken or are on 17p.

lovinglifeasmommy

Antoe2007:

Did you have any side effects?  Thank you so much by the way!

Like PP said, bump and itching at injection site. Ask them to inject it with the z track method and do it VERY, I mean VERY SLOW. That helps it not sting during injection and helps it not give you the bump and itching. I have been on these since week 17 this pregnancy. I did have PTL at 27 weeks and am on bed rest. I think p17 is why I did not deliver at 27 weeks. Still going strong....almost to 34 weeks! I also get hot flashes a day or two after the shot but nothing major. Its all worth it to keep LO baking longer.

punky917

I take Makena since it was 100% covered by my insurance. I have had 3 shots and no side effects, except the first time when there was pain around the area where I got the shot but nothing that was concerning. DH has been doing a great job giving me this injection which is good since my OB is an hour away from home. I have to take it from 16-36 weeks as well since I had a 26 week preemie last time due to unexplained PTL/prom. With Makena, they send a vial with 5 shots at a time and they have me write down the time/date/location of the shot given. I send it back and order one when I am down to the last shot from the vial.