₦airaland Forum

Good evening all, please my first time here and also a ftm. I have a son who is a month n some days old. I am doing both formula and breastfeeding. However I noticed that whenever I give him formula, his poo is always watery (yellow) in color with small egusi like things in it.
Is it his formula? Should I change it? This was not how it was in d beginning.

Please all the gurus in d house I await your response. Thank you.

Omg!! Whattt?! I would nt av been as cool as you oh! With that kind of harsh treatment thank God she still let you in.. she must have been having a bad day.
Sorry dear! You were really strong.
This Chicago POE some have it good and odas bad. Really never know...

goobyparks:
Sharing time! �
So, on 6th Oct i boarded BA. The 6hrs Flight was ok bt d food wasn't, I got d opportunity to watch 'the wedding party' �  1st stop - Heathrow London; was there for abt 5hrs, slept all through, airport Wi-Fi wasn't working
Cbp: *types on his system* then gives my passport to another officer and asks me to follow him. I was taken to an office with many other travellers sitting and waiting..
After abt 4hrs, I was called and the bashing started  � can't even remember all of it.
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: vacation and to have my baby
Cbp: when? (Due date)
Me: told her
Cbp: but that wasn't the reason your visa was issued (family vacation)
Me: trying to explain
Cbp: don't even try to lie to me, so you knew you wanted to have your baby here and you went ahead to lie to the embassy. I've met your type before. U didn't have the balls to state your reason so you just went the easy way. U are a pathetic liar (she actually said sth worse bt I can't even remember right nw).
Me: tried explaining again
Cbp: are u talking over me?
Me: i'm sorry
Cbp: just shut up. where did you say you were going during ur interview
Me: Florida, for a family vacation
Cbp: so who advised you to lie so that you can come into the U.S. and do wat u really wanted to do.
Me: a friend told us about her experience (giving birth in the U.S) and how it is legal and a good thing to do for your child. (Truthfully, We heard from few family and friends how it is nt really a big deal once u can afford it bt nobody told us abt medical visa cause all 3 of them we knw used b1/b2. They just said I shldnt disclose that I was preg both to VO and Cbp. This was all before I stumbled on NL while I was searching for hospitals and I saw all these info that nobody tld me abt. I just decided in my mind to say the truth at POE, take all necessary paperwork and pray that I wnt b sent back)
Cbp: Lemme see your documents.
Me: hands over
Cbp: is this ur 1st child?
Me: no, 2nd
Cbp: *looking thru d docs* see? Did u even see dis? U such a disgusting liar. U started contacting Drs & hospitals right after your visa. *reads the email from hosp* So VD is 20,000 bt with community discount they are bringing it down to 4200/5000. *jokes to her colleague* do u knw u can have ur child for jst $5000? I've seen so many like these *shakes her head*
When is your husband coming?
Me: by d end of November after I've had my baby.
Cbp: when?
Me: 28th Nov
Cbp: bt he hasn't got a ticket yet
Me: no he hasn't
Cbp: I thought so.
(I was smiling thru the whole interrogation) ... and why are you smiling to me face and lying like i'm saying sth funny.
Me: i'm sorry, just that I smile a lot
Cbp: it's just a defense mechanism (truth! If I wasn't smiling I wld'v prob be crying).
where will u be staying?
Me: told her the address @ Virginia. I'll be staying with my cousin.
Cbp: is she a citizen
Me: no, she's a green card holder
Cbp: how did she get it?
Me: I really don't know
Cbp: Give me your wallet, money and phone *I gave her*
Where did you get this money from?
Me: I got some from the bank and some from the black market.
Cbp: black market?
Me: bureau d change.  Where I exchanged naira for dollars
Cbp: i mean who did you borrow the m

Thank you Jesus!

Phew! A lot of info here! Thank you for clarifying. $51k plus? Wow!

MamaOO:
Yes. He is a citizen. We is parents are also citizens too. But being a citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. You have to actually be eligible based on income. Medicaid is for low income earners and people living below poverty lines. He is entitled to Medicaid because we (his parents live here), work and we get taxed, but he isn’t qualified based on his parents’ income being over the eligibility threshold and that’s despite the fact that for every monthly paycheck, the government deducts Medicaid taxes from our salary, which between me and my husband is around $800 a month. No jokes.

Being a US citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. Note that I said the bills was eventually sorted out between Medicaid and our insurance companies. We were not qualified for Medicaid based on our income. Medicaid has an income threshold to qualify and once you’re over that threshold, you don’t qualify.

I guess the hospital enrolled him because his case was so critical (he had severe jaundice, that was life threatening) and he even had to be airlifted via an air ambulance to Valley Children’s. The bills were mounting (the bill for the air ambulance itself was $51,450 or so), they needed insurance for him pronto and I wasn’t there. They wouldn’t allow me ride in the air ambulance with him, so while they already airlifted him to Madera, I was still in the hospital trying to sort and sign my discharge papers, talk to social workers, go home and pack cos they told us to expect to be there for at least two weeks, shop for essentials and then drive two hours to Madera from where we live. I didn’t see him until about 10hours later and by the time I did, he had already been admitted, ragged, paperwork filled out and receiving treatment.

When you apply for Medicaid, they ask income based questions don’t they? That’s to know if you qualify. You as a mother, on birth tourism should not answer those income questions cos you don’t make income here neither do you pay taxes.

Let me even chip this in. Once the child grows up and probably wants to attend college here, they have to pay out of state tuition and in most cases, out of state tuition is even as expensive as international tuition. We all know how expensive international tuition is don’t we? You might ask why they have to pay out of state tuition when they’re US citizens?. It’s because they for them to qualify to in-state tuition, you must have been resident in that state for at least two years or more, depending on the state. The kids lived in Nigeria so they’re not resident in any state. Hence, the out of state tuition is needed. They will/might qualify for student loans though, and they will need to start paying that back as soon as they’re out of college.

And yes, the bill was in his name, the Medicaid was in his name as well. But when you fill out your paperwork, they demand for parents name and sometimes social security number. When they run your name, they can see you have insurance and that’s where they contact your insurance, since you’re his parents and you have insurance they expect you to put your child on your insurance and not on government assistance.

Hi mama00 but isn't ur son a citizen and therefore entitled to Medicaid? If the bill is in his name would that be a problem? U could have as well registered him for Medicaid right? I'm asking, if any1 in the house can clarify?

MamaOO:
Not always the case. They don’t always tell you, Especially when it concerns infants. My newborn was automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid cos he was in the NICU of Valley children’s Hospital in Madera for 3+ weeks. It was after he got discharged and I was asking for the billing that they told us they enrolled him. Eventually, between Medi-Cal, my insurance and my husband’s insurance, it was sorted out.

Hello everyone, happy sallah!
Plz I wanted to ask if it is ok to use emergency travel certificate instead of visa on arrival? Is dere a particular advantage to using visa on arrival?

Congratulations to you and your super wife! Truly Dr Jesus working.

michnib:
Hi Nairalanders,

Just to share a bit of my madam's experience at POE and delivery.

This was our second missionary journey. I must say that this forum has been very insightful.

We applied and got our visa as normal under the appropriate category. Bought her ticket and that of our daughter, though she felt the date I fixed her flight for was too early (I set her departure for 32nd week). On getting to Dallas CBP Officer tried to deny her access but he failed (all her documentations were intact, zero balance, accommodation receipts, doctor's communication, cash, accommodation booking, my letter of consent, copy of my Id card and employment stuffs, e.t.c). Finally he stamped her in for 6months .

On getting to the extended accommodation after week 1, wifey wasn't comfy with the room because there was no sufficient space for my Daughter to play, so the search for a bigger accommodation service. She found one a 2 bedroom apartment (though not through airbnb) via asking around. She went to inspect it and took pictures for me to approve though it was twice our accommodation budget I agreed and She moved in. Did all her registrations at the hospital and also continued her search for birthing center (she started this before going) because she wanted water birth. She got one, registered and paid, then went for series of tests (some paid some were included in the bill). She was advised to get "Salus-Haus Floradix Iron ..." and eat lots of veg, reduce fruit intake. She followed all advises.

Just after her 3rd visit to birthing center she went to Walmart to buy more veg for the week, on getting to the house she went into labor (38th week). Only my daughter, herself and Jesus Christ in the whole building. She picked up the phone to call new friends made via the church who can take her to the hospital (she said my daughter [1+] was just crying mummy mummy), in less than 3 minutes her water broke only to find out that new baby was already wanting to arrive, so she dragged herself to the bathroom and turned on the shower while she wait for help and uber(she had already called uber ride) but in less than 10 minutes she had delivered the baby with Dr Jesus (no tear). Shortly after the new friend came in and they simply went to the birthing center for checks and the normal things there.

.

Mother and baby are doing fine, went back home in less than 6 hours .

Thanks.

Congrats dear! Thank God for all!

uzyfine:
In the spirit of giving back, I already posted my Poe expirience. I successfully had my twin via c section under doctor novoa in elpaso. Both of them were very ok so no issue and no nicu. Cs was done on Friday night and we were discharged on Sunday morning, thanks be to almighty God. I've gotten all their documents . Was waiting for my husband to go for his interview so we can add 1 baby to his ticket and 1 to mine.

Please if it is a credit card he is using to pay, note that some airlines might request to see said credit card or want to speak to the owner. (This happened to my bro but outside naija so I dnt know)

iphiechuks:
Thanks Babatwi. Let me go ahead then.

If your husband resides in the US why has he not filed for you? It probably seemed weird to the VO..... Especially if you've been married for @least a year

Gorgeousmum:
Thanks alot for your response,guess I should just forget about reapplying for now then...

You are right u do need an appointment

https://ng.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

This is d link to get an appointment

https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=ABU&appcode=1

maideyz:
My husband went to the embassy in Abuja
today and was told to go nd book am appointment before the document can be notarized

@chibertha checked website and did nt see any such information. Did a search and it came up empty. So mayb u can help us with a link? Or under what category to click on... thank you

chibertha:
Very reliable to use courier DHL UPS or FEDEX any one can do it.
If you want it delivered urgently na your money go talk.
He doesn't need an appointment to go and notorise the document but there are times and days it can be done check the website the exact information is there for timing.

Yay! Uzy! Well done dear! Glad you arrived safe n sound! All the best with your delivery!

uzyfine:
Good morning good people of nairaland, I want to sincerely appreciate everyone's effort and contribution in this forum, may God bless u all. So in the spirit of giving back I flew qatar airways to USA on wed 22nd June at 32 weeks twin gestation. 10hrs to Doha, 4 hour layover then 16 hrs to us, no be small pipkin matter. I requested for wheelchair blc my tommy is really big and heavy, walking is becoming difficult but I never used it until I got to us. At Doha bl4 boarding they told me to wait that and officer will have to see me, after like 10 mins one of those escorts came and carried my hand luggage ant took me to the plane straight away no interview no document check. We arrived dallas at 4pm and I entered my wheelchair straight to baggage claim after picking my bags we went straight to the cpb, we jumped line and went straight to priority line and I was the second person. Cpb: saw my big tommy and shouts how are u mam. Me: am fine thank you.
Cpb: what are u her for
Me: to have my baby
Cpb: how much do u have on you
Me: 8k 100d
Cpb: are you sure that's Gina be enough?
Me: yes I ready made some deposits to the hospital
Cpb: smiling and already stamping my passport and asked how old is my pregnancy
Me: 32 weeks
Cpb: was like are u sure blc u look like u gonna drop any minute from now
Me: yes, an expecting twin.
He gave me my passport as he was shouting wow congratulations pls do take Kia of ur and have a nice day. I thanked him and off I went to connect to elpaso. I declared food but he didn't even mention it, no document check and no sec inspection and everything lasted for less than 2 mins. Currently resting in El Paso and waiting for my first appointment.

Christine.obianagha@gmail.com thank you

Blackgolden:
Yes ma...But I would rather you drop your email.

Check ur email. Will send again

Blackgolden:
I just checked sis, didn't see nothing. Sorry!

Plz @blackgolden I just sent a pm too

Blackgolden:
Can you drop the message here, I still didn't get the PM.

[qquote author=Og3chukwu post=57329660]

Okay,I just sent another PM

ok. thank you!!

Marylandmama:
My passport is still in my maiden name too. But it's the name you fill on the birth certificate form in the hospital for the baby that will reflect on the birth certificate. I filled my name the way it's written on my passport and then filled my husband's name as the father. The certificate came out with his last name as the baby's last name too.

Hello house,

please just having a conversation with my aunt n she was implying that whatever surname i register with @ the hospital is what they will put for my unborn child even though i told her i would be coming with my marriage certificate( i have not done change of name, only got married in late last yr plus my visa is in my maiden name).

can anyone clarify plz? has any1 been in this situation?

Congrats dear! Thank God u sailed through. Will join u next month by his grace. Thanks for sharing!

Blackgolden:
Iong post alert:

In the spirit of giving back, I'd like to share my experience at the dreaded Houston POE. Even though I feel hurt that since I join this forum, the 2 post I had posted for inquiries have been deleted, and I really don't why.
It's all good, cos I still was diligent in reading the threads and equipping myself.

I got my visa on a vigin passport in Feb 2017 and didn't know I was pregnant until weeks later, and when asked by the Vo then I said I wasn't. Was doing research online and bumped on this platform, where I keenly followed the Change of Intent info. I sent my change of intent sometime in April as I was planning to travel in June. Got the reply..."I'm not obligated to tell them, but be able to prove at POE I can handle my bills etc"

To cut the long story...Got to the airport(Abuja) June 4 while checking in at Lufthansa, the lady asked if I was pregnant I said yes, she asked if I had my fit to fly, I said yes, she said I'll need the port healthy cert. I told her I'm only 22 weeks and according to their online info, I wouldn't need that except from 35weeks, she insisted. I went to the portal and the lady said it was 2k, I said I thought it was 1k5, she said no, I just gave her the 2k. She took my temperature and BP and gave me the receipt.
Finished everything and we took off by 10:20pm for Frankfurt. Food was horrible- I begin purge for plane. Thank God I sat close to the lavatory. 4hrs layover and we were Houston bound - I no gree chop again, just asked for their dry bread, butter with Coke.

Landed at Houston June 5 around 1:30pm US time (just like I read here) target one young innocent looking CBP guy and stayed on his queue...

CBP- Good afternoon ma'am, passport plz?
Me- Good afternoon (hands it)
Cbp- why are you in the US
Me- Vacation and Childbirth
(looking a bit disoriented and was signalling for a colleague)
Cbp- How long are you staying
Me- 5months
Me - I have made some deposit at the hospital and I have correspondence with my doctor.
Cpb- plz let me have them. (Still calling his colleauge)
Me- (hands them to him)
At this time the colleague comes and he explains to him- This is her 1st time in the US and she plans to give birth, these are correspondence with her doctor and deposit receipt...
Cbp2 - who will you be staying with
Me- my sister in Dallas.
Cbp2 - Are you giving birth in Dallas
Me- Yes, Baylor Scott and White Hospital is also in Dallas.
Cbp2- during your interview, did you start this intention?
Me- no, because I didn't know at the time, but I sent a change of intent letter (reaching for the reply) and this was the reply I got.
He takes his time to read it and hands it back.
Cbp2 - I see you have paid $1000 deposit, how much is everything going to cost u?
Me- about $6k5
Cbp2 - V or Cs
Me- V.
Cbp1- I see you have $8k5 with you.
Me- yes, should I show you.
Cbp2- yes, but be careful, you don't want to call any attention to yourself.
Showed them in my purse
Cbp2- all 100bills
Me- yes.
CBP 2- How did you get all this cash
Me- part of my savings from salary and most from my husband.
Cbp2- is your husband joining you
Me- yes, much later
Cbp1- what do you do?
Me- Program and Communications Officer with....
Cbp1- Your husband?
Me- He is bleep bleep at.....
Cbp1- plz place your fingers on the machine
CBP2- make sure you keep all your receipt, cos we will request for it the next time you come. Also, do not accept any medicare here cos it will affect you visa and return to the states.
Welcome to the US (CBP1 was stamping my passport already)

Went to find my United Airline for my connecting flight to Dallas Forth Worth. After plenty delay, I reach home finially.

A word of advice - be confident and carry plenty money.

Ps: Don't blame your family, friends and relatives abroad. They dont have the info you want because they don't need it (their life na easy one as citizens), and you have to politely educate them, before you become Mrs know know and oversabi for their own country. My sisters will tell me, "we no know ooo", do your research and we will help you verify here.

many thanks to everyone who has contributed on this platform . Your experiences has help naive JJC like me. We're expecting our baby 1St week in October. First appointment is this weekend. Keep us in your prayers.

thanks dear, will give them a call.

chibertha:
You can get a complete package of well baby /well Mama for 8k in Houston. Check Houston North West medical and West Houston Medical for doctors.

iphiechuks:
sup dear, I am also considering Baylor Scott and white Carrollton based on someone's quote here. I also intend to travel early and see if I can get a better option.

Pls let me know if u find an affordable ticket. When are u planning ur trip? We are 3 in this trend heading to Dallas almost same time.

Hi dear plz can i get your email? Going 2 Dallas early too n need some help. Am also in Abuja...

Hello everyone,
FTM here! Thank God n everyone for their contributions to this thread. I was searching n came across this thread.
Please this is my first missionary journey and completely clueless. From reading as much as I culd from this thread I AV learnt a lot.

I will b heading to Dallas next month. This was a last min decision bcuz funds just came in to make the trip.
Any mums going to be in Dallas please hit me up. Also affordable hospital n doc's recommendation (nt more dan 8k) in Dallas will be greatly appreciated

Please I have a few questions...
What do I need from here b4 l leave Nigeria..? Reading abt this consent form for the LO's American passport? How do I get it? Where do I get it notarized?

Please help a jjc n new nairaland member out!!!

P.s if Houston is cheaper I dnt mind flying dere after I arrive Dallas.