So I have to start the Makena / progesterone shots to prevent preterm labor. Planning on starting at 19 weeks or so b/c I'm very low risk but it's a possibility I'll go early (DS was only 36w5d and perfectly healthy, very easy birth but I had PPROM). My OB is having me do the auto-injector which is subcutaneous in the arm as opposed to intramuscular oil shots in the butt/ hip. The auto-injector was released this Feb.
If you took Makena, can you share your experience? Did they work most important? Did baby have any issues? Has anyone tried the auto-injector yet?
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Have been doing the Makena intramuscular shots this pregnancy since 17 weeks (25 now). No side effects or complaints, except one week the nurse gave it to me and she didn’t warm it up first and i had a knot at injection site all week. But otherwise, it’s a small annoyance. Good luck!
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@pachamama: Very envious that you get to do the arm shots! I was told I would get those, but was tricked!
I had PPROM at 28 weeks with my first and delivered him at 31 weeks. I'm currently 36 weeks TODAY with my second. I started on Makena at about 16 weeks.
The only side effect I noticed was a little bit of soreness and LOTS of itchiness at the injection site.
A fellow preemie mom recently had her second baby - full term after doing the shots. She's seen no impacts of the progesterone on the baby.
Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions
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I have done the injections twice. First baby born 35+4, second and third (after shots) were 36+3 and 38. I’ll do them again this pregnancy, starting at 17 weeks I think?
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@math.nerd: I dunno, some day they hurt too? I did IUI injectables and they didn't faze me but those were in my tummy. And thanks for sharing. So wonderful you are at 36w!! You must be thrilled. Evry day they bake is better. I was really in a gray area as to whether or not I needed the shots at all (one OB and my midwife said they wouldn't do it but not a bad idea) so I'm gonna start a little later. Hope it works out. They're working with insurance currently.
@LAZB: when is your due date? Congrats again on the pregnancy!
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@pachamama: thank you! March 27th, 6w2d now
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@lioneyes: do you go in to the office every week or does someone at home do them for you?
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@pachamama my dad gives them to me (he’s a doc) but it’s typical for the nurse to just show someone (husband, friend etc) how to do it and then they administer it weekly.
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I got mine in the dr office because I didnt want to do them at home. I used a numbing cream and it was so helpful. I had an irritable uterus starting at 30 weeks amd had tons of contractions, but my daughter held out until 38.5 weeks. I was on modified bedrest from 32-36. I dont know if it was the shots, but my water never broke like it did with my son (he was born at 34+6)
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Holy shit. That was PAINFUL. Just got my first dose of Makena through auto-injector (basically a GIGANTIC epi-pen with oil/med in it) in my upper arm and it was extraordinarily, horrifically uncomfortable. Side note, I got the shot because another girl did it once and reacted so badly she's not continuing (?!!). I don't know why they insist on upper arm; it's so sensitive there. It was like a really bad hornet sting that got worse and worse. Hopefully it won't have residual pain effects on my arm in the coming days.
It's going to be a long 19 weeks. But it's worth it if babe stays baking til full term! -
@pachamama: It's really really really awful
BUT the numbing cream definitely knocked the pain down like 80% for me. I can't remember what it was called, but my nurse was actually the one who thought of it and it was a life saver! I put it on 30 minutes before the shot so it had time to work, and it helped so much. Hugs momma... this stuff is so hard.
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Agree on numbing cream (bought mine on amazon). Also try spraying the injection site with ethyl chloride right before you do it, it really freezes it (also on amazon). Good luck!
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@lioneyes: @Mrs. Lion: thanks my little lion mamas.
gonna get me some of those creams now!! At least it's only once a week -
Update I ended up being induced at 40 weeks 2 days and had a healthy boy 7lb9oz. (there was a national drug shortage of Makena so I had to use the generic intramuscular butt shot for the last 2 shots actually. It was so much less painful! If I could, I would have used the intramuscular your butt shot the entire time.)
I took my last progesterone injection on the last day I could 36w5d. Most people stop earlier. A little drama at my 40w u/s.. my baby had not grown in 3 weeks and I was a nervous wreck so technically it was an elective induction. My body was ready and delivery was very fast and completely without complications (or pain meds)
Looking back, as long as my son stays as healthy as he seems (1 month old) I do not regret taking the progesterone at all. Realistically I probably didn't need it but I was terrified of having another preemie.
BUT the numbing cream definitely knocked the pain down like 80% for me. I can't remember what it was called, but my nurse was actually the one who thought of it and it was a life saver! I put it on 30 minutes before the shot so it had time to work, and it helped so much. Hugs momma... this stuff is so hard.
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