missjae: Thank you everyone for all the help offered on this thread! I have been reading silently for the past few days all the way from page 1 and have gotten a lot of information. I have now narrowed my options to El Paso, Tx and Los Angeles (because I have family in california). I am due in the 3rd week of March next year, my first baby. I already have a 2-year visa from way before I got pregnant. Also a frequent traveller. I'm trying to determine the best time for me to travel? (32 wks, 34 wks etc) and how long to stay there (2, 3 months etc) to get all of the baby's documents sorted so I can book my ticket. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress. Thanks.

emispackage: @ Favor_gal. I am so sorry. My phone has been acting up. Loading previous emails have been a problem. Would do it, as soon as it's sorted out.

letilex: Pls house I need info on a cheap hosp in California plan to hav my baby dere soonest i need a response asap thanks

firsttimer: Hallo my fellow Nigerians, hope the babies r kicking well and I hope all mothers are doing great? God is still on the Throne and God will see parents thru in this course.

Desertorange71, I have come again o. I have very important questions for you even though I guess it has bn said in this forum before.

1. How was the post delivery in El Paso?
2. How fast was the processing of the birth certificate?
3. How did you go about the issue of Nigerian Passport/Visa for your baby since El Paso is far from all Nigeria Embassies?
4. How fast was the processing of the Social Security Number? and finally
5. How many weeks did it take to process all these documents.

This is the best I can do for my wife as I cant help carry the baby, I am sure your husband was superb too. God bless us all in Jesus name.

Desertorange71:

Hello Firsttimer,
I hope I can answer answer as best to clear everybody's doubts. One thing I must point out is that the letter of medical responsability that they send is very thoughtfully written. The people who have enrolled know what Im talking about. It is a big help if you decide to use it, and it is an extra step thet they take to trying to help international patients. Here are the answers to your questions, If there are more, Ill try to answer them all as soon as I can God bless

1. All very well, and it was included for myself in the obstetric package.
2. I followed the advice of one one the previous patients on this forum and expedited the birth certificate via vitalchek.com which doctoresparati has that info on the website.
3. Also, I got the information from this forum (god bless all the people that have contributed to this forum) and got an attorney to apply for the visa while in El Paso. I have to admit, when I told other patients here many were surprised. I didnt know if it was possible and I was ready to go to washington like everybody else. Fortunately that was not necessary. BTW, even the people at doctoresparati were surprised when I mentioed this was possible!
4. I think it was less than 2 weeks
5. If you move and do all things as you are supposed to, it is possible to have your documents (passport/visa) ready in 2 weeks. I wasnt in a big hurry and wasted some time so i ended up leaving a month after delivery. I think its always best to plan as if its going to be a month.

Also, as many people have stated, houston and atlanta are not the best place to do your POE. I heard many stories about the officials returning anybody and evrybody they see pregnant from the Nigeria. Best options are new york (jfk) and dallas to El Paso. El Paso officers are great! Very kind and friendly, you will have no problem when you arrive to El Paso.

wemba:

Hi,
The correct email is Ivette.Becerra-Tillman@southernregional.org. I mistakenly spelt it as Yvette.....

letilex: hi sppecie in interested in givin birth in la since I hav family livin in california.but i need to ask u some questions like how much did u spend overall.cos I hav a budget of like 6000 n I want to knw all the costs involved thanks

Desertorange71:


Kayjay23,
No problem, i hope i can help as many people on this forum as i was helped too.

1. I had the letter of medical responsability and was instructed to tell the truth by doctoresparati. Although i did have the letter i was not asked for it. Yes, a little bit of luck too,
2. The truth
3. New York, entry was very easy and i also prepaid my medical expenses which was very helpfull at POE because i was asked to prove my solvency for which I had my receipt from doctoresparati. I recommend that everybody prepay if possible
4. Yes. As stated above. I only paid the obstetric fees ($2500)
5. I arrived at 34 weeks

worry 359: [i][/i]

Typical Nigerian question!!!
Two thoughts of LYING before possibility of telling the truth.
This is why so many get caught and banned.

salawu5: Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

A good news from here...I got into Houston this morning with Madam Via United Airline and had a serious 3 hours row with the POE who threatened to handcuff me because i was raising my voice. all in all the guys from Doctores Para TI did a good work as they confirmed we are being expected, I was made to pay 300 USD fine for failure to declare prohibited foods like Ponmo and Garlic. The dollars i carried was counted note to note. We are presently chilling in Houston before heading to Indianapolis where Madam we have our baby, Wishing all the intending travellers to the United States a safe trip and Allahs favour and we should try as much as possible to harm ourselves with enough informations as possible.

Thanks to everyone out here for your contributions and criticism.

nenih:

@Salawu5, thanks for the heads up. Please what issues exactly did they have with Madam? If I remember clearly you did mention that your wife got her visa before she took in and following enquiries made, all that would be required of you is to prove you can pay your bills without aid. Will appreciate your reply as I also got mine before i took in and Houston is also my POE. would help me prepare for myself for any possible issue(s). Thanks

salawu5:

@ Nenih....They had no issues with Madam but with the undeclared food items we had, Madam was only asked why the Choice of El-Paso and she answered that they have a five start review and that is the only Hospital willing to take her at 29 weeks that she knows off,she was also asked for the date her Visa was issued, Kindly ensure you have the medical responsibility letter and at least sum of 9,000 USD plus Credit Card and ensure you declare all food items.

Regards

salawu5: Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

A good news from here...I got into Houston this morning with Madam Via United Airline and had a serious 3 hours row with the POE who threatened to handcuff me because i was raising my voice. all in all the guys from Doctores Para TI did a good work as they confirmed we are being expected, I was made to pay 300 USD fine for failure to declare prohibited foods like Ponmo and Garlic. The dollars i carried was counted note to note. We are presently chilling in Houston before heading to Indianapolis where Madam we have our baby, Wishing all the intending travellers to the United States a safe trip and Allahs favour and we should try as much as possible to harm ourselves with enough informations as possible.

Thanks to everyone out here for your contributions and criticism.

Desertorange71:



Indianapolis? Isnt doctoresparati in El Paso? You are very brave, from the email you put from doctoresparati it looks like they have to confirm your arrival. Please excuse me if I am wrong, is what you are saying is that you paid doctoresparati to get a letter from them to lie to customs and use at POE?

sppecie:

Thanks a lot sppecie God bless u for this info.but I wud still get back to u later I wud call d doctor n ask him some questions.hope his is friendly
But did u get any form of discounts whatsoever.

My Expenses (contd.)

Paediatric care - $100
Circumcision on day 8 - $300 ( The Nigerian Dr that delivered my son circumcised him)


Paperwork in LA was fast and easy

My wife informed the social worker at the hospital that she needed the birth certificate to travel within 2 weeks.
After 2 weeks I arrived LA to help wifey with paperwork and Birth Certificate was already waiting.
I collected this and booked appointment (by Phone) with the US Passport office at Wilshire BLVD.
By this time we all had flight tickets - to travel within 2 weeks ( This is condition for fast track PP).
I went wih wife and son to the Passport office and applied.
2 days later, Passport was ready! and I picked up - ready to travel.

I ll advise any one that can afford to RENT YOUR OWN PLACE AND LET YOUR RELATIONS VISIT YOU!
That way - No one will Think You owe him Any thing! If you stay with relations - sooner /later, you will
find out s'thing you don't like about your host OR she finds out s'thing wrong with you!


Since my wife arrived, 2 other Ladies have come in and stayed in the same house with wifey - and have
delivered - 1 normal and 1 via CS - All HAPPY!

LA does NOT have the several issues with POE as you have in Houston/NY/ Atlanta though it's a longer flight!


Cheers.

( Sorry for NOT updating for long time)

Sppecie

bigdaddyyo:

If its in Bay Area, 7000-8000 USD all in (including 3 nights stay in hospital after delivery)

hardeymijuh: @ All,

Arrived in Houston today via Atlanta, no much issues faced at Atlanta.

Arrived Atlanta at 5:05am with Delta, went straight to Immigrations, myself, my wife and son.

I didnt av much issues, the guy asked why i came last month and wat i came to do in March.

He asked what we came for and i answered Family vacation, he asked for how long, i replied saying 4 weeks, told him am on leave.

He asked how much we had, i answered 8K dollars altogether, asked where we r staying replied Extended Stay America Houston (i had made a booking wt them whch i jst cancelled)...

He asked to see our ticket (i had 2 ticket, the original that has a return for next year and a domi-ticket that has a retun in 4 weeks time) as a sharp guy, i gave him the domi-ticket.....

classichique: Hello People, praise God I arrived Atlantaa safely yesterday morning via delta. No body even asked me 4 my fit2fly doc except while I was checking in my luggage in naija. Landed atlanta 5.30 am atlanta time. Got to d CBP officer whoo asked what I was in d US 4. And I replied 2have a baby. He scanned my visa and asked what I had told them @d embassy last mnth when I went 4my visa interview and I told him I toold dem same, 2have my baby.

He asked hw long I intended 2stay and I said 3month, he asked who wiill be respnsible 4me while in d US, and I replied that my aunty will take care of my feeding while I will take care of my medical bills. He asked if I had foood and I said yes I have garri. He replied saying do I have meat? And I said no. He asked hw much mooney I had and I said 9950. Everything I described abve was like 5mins. He den put my passport in d transparent folder and told a lady 2take me 4 secndary inspectin.

@d secondary inspection place, everything took like 1min. The guy asked me how much I had and I said I had 9950. He smiled and asked what happened 2d 50dollars 2 make it 10k, I just smiled back and shrug.

He said I shld make sure I keep all my recipts cos if I dnt pay, I'll probably nt get ova it all my life. He stamped me 6mtns and wished me the best.

All in all it was smooth,God favured me. picked my bags and waited 4my cnnecting flight 2dallas. Happily in dallas now. Thank God

Pls my husband is going 2apply 4his visa in dec. Shld he state that he is also staying in my aunty's house? Some1 advised hotel, but am nt sure of d logic behind saying hotel.