All October Chicago mamas trying to PM me, seriously am not sure how that works. You can email me on vodinawest1@gmail.com

Mihs 2014 Mamas, I hail o. Some of us thought it was all over but we are here again. Congrats to everyone with success stories and a big thanks to all that have kept this forum alive.

Planning for Chicago in October and return in December. Anyone with same itinerary let's port and plan together. #sharedaccomodation #goodcompany #2headsbetterthan1

From crosslands to ocotillo is just 4 mins on the bus. Quite close. 48th and 41st street respectively.
From ocotillo to the hospital is like 50 mins (on bus).

twizzie:
oh thanks...appreciate your effort...I already called as well. Funny though, the quote I got about 2 hours ago 312.19 for the first week and 189.74 for subsequent weeks.I just hope they aren't reviewing their prices too o.. checking google map, its quite close to the hospital..
Next week Sunday hopefully, just chilling in NJ with family...

Can u imagine this ppl. With the price you got, i might move there as well, my stay here expires on the 16th, might move, but will go there later and check the state of their rooms cos what i see online is not so fantastic. Currently am paying 1,330 per month so it's obviously a better deal.

See ya when you come.

twizzie:

Will be joining soon, can't wait...excited much about the VBAC. God will sure make all things beautiful for all of us...
Pls are u staying at cross land? Can u say anything about this Ocotillo village? I am looking at staying there..Pls kindly respond..

Hi. I am at crosslands. Had never heard of Ocotillo village until you mentioned it. So i checked them out online and gave them a call as well. Their studio furnished rooms is $420 for week one (arrival week), then $189 every other week. So it's like $987 for a month (approx N167,790). Which is not bad seeing that they have a pool (that's if you love swimming), and can quicken labour as well. .

So it's up to you to decide. When are you coming in?

Wish you the best.

Tvegas:
Dinawe like some NL boys will say, Pictures or ADONBILIVIT.

Ok, i can't be that jobless and stupid to lie about ppls's babies and testimonies. But if i post ur babies pics online without ur permission will u like it.

Chuyom:
My people una well done! This site has been so useful. Thanks to all who have contributed in one way or the other.
Pls is the new MIHS price of $5400 inclusive of everything? Or will I need to pay anything after that? Am a bit confused.
Also, am due in March, anyone heading to MIHS at this time too? Will leave in dec or Jan. We could team up and plan cos I am thinking of renting accomodation as I don't have any family/friend there. Thanks!

It's all inclusive. Hospital, Physican (doctor), epidural, anesthesiologist, pediatrician(one baby visit), pathologist, all antenatal, one emergency visit for you. No hidden charges.

Haven't really spoken much about MIHS, but my arrival here simply made me sold out. I love them. . Compared to paying over $13k in Dallas last year, it's just unbelievable but TRUE.

I ain't no marketer am sure u all know that, just an expression of how i feel.

News update. 5 deliveries last week (one VBAC), one this week (so far). 3 departures and 1 arrival.

lizcom25:
@angel55: exactly. It was dinawe my friend that I was talking about.

@Dinawe how you dey? Hope you and my wife no go born the same time oooo....All the best sister.

@ Lizcom23. Thanks a million. If we born the same day e make plenty sense na. I lost her on BB, i will go back to my email and re add her.
Sure she is having a good time at el paso.

Forgot to say, the lady that had her VBAC last week arrived at 37 weeks from naija and had her baby normally at 39 weeks plus.

She will get a refund of $1,350 because she paid for a CS initially. ( Looking forward to my iwn refund, shopping things )

VBAC here is same price with normal delivery. Old price was 2,888 but the new price is 5,400 all inclusive.

angel55:
Hello house please am stuck confused and don't know what to do? Am 36weeks gone and I need a hospital in houston area that will let me try a VBAC @ a rate not more than 6500 for everything both hospital,doctor and pediatrician. Other wise will I get it done at phoneix @ an affordable rate. Time seems to be running out. Pls help

Angel. There is nothing to think about, just take the next flight to phoenix. We had a VBAC last week ( the lady had a CS last year), she is doing great with her baby. I paid for a CS just in case, but my doctor wants me to try VBAC, i am already 37weeks plus and waiting to go into labour. They are so careful and precise, wish i can give u d details right now on all the procedures there put in place for VBAC, simply amazing. I was elpaso bound as well but had to move cos of this. See ya in phoenix.

shelly23: Hope our Phoenix people are ok o! I'm just reading there was a storm and a part of the city is without electricity.

We are doing great. For me and all the people in my room when it started, it was a normal experience where rain falls and NEPA takes the light. The light was restored in 50 mins. It only delayed our boiling of water for the preparation of our eba.

Wow! Amazing things are happening in Phoenix.

2 mamas had their babies this week

2 mamas got their 'blue passport this week'

2 more mamas joined the family as well.

This truely feels good.

Congratulations to all de mamas, more testimonies are lined up for the coming week.

Watch out for more #naijamamas@phoenixmihs news.

Nef dear, have always known u r a strong and amazing lady, that's why i was looking forward to our stay at phoenix. God bless the day we became friends . . . thanks to nairaland.

So, where are all the crosslands mama. Have been here 3 days with @omokenny as well. I no see una oh! E bi like say i go start to the knock room by room.

My intercomm number (room phone) is 7530. Pls lets hook up.

bims87:

@Damsel020 and @ Jaysmom,can u pls expatiate on the bad experience with Delta airline? M planning to book my flight with them. Would u advise me not to? Thanks

have used delta so many times and they are ok. horrible experiences can happen sometimes that doesn't make them bad. when booking check time for connecting flights, if they are so close you will sure be running into the aircraft with ur baby and ofcourse ur box cant make it so soon as well.

at least 2hrs wait time when connecting.

My dear, i really dont know where to start. First of all we give God all the praise for He knows it all.

My BB crashed a day to the trip, i lost ur pin and phone number. sent u an email but didnt get a reply. Had to arrive airport early and was looking at every human called pregnant but couldnt see you. I got the news few minutes to take off and i was devastated.

was thinking about those lovely twins, our new york parols, fun we could have had at phoenix . . . . my dear it wasnt easy. but in all, we give God praise.

have arrived phoenix, evrytin went well, slept all thru at new york.

pls send ur bb pin and phone number to my email, cant wait to talk with u.

cheers

nefertitiram: Dear All,
I wish I could post a POE story, but I developed severe complications on the day I was to leave for US. I am sure my friend @dinawe who we were supposed to travel together must have been confounded by my disappearance at the airport.
I started bleeding a few hours to my flight, and was rushed to a hosp. I had lost so much blood so they had to carry out an emergency surgery to save my life.
My babies were born at 27 weeks and are currently in an incubator. I am in recovery as well.
In all things I can only give thanks to God, things could have been much worse if I had gotten on that flight.
@dinawe, please reach out to me when you arrive phoenix. This is why I didn't show up for our flight, but I and the babies are safe and sound.

oyinkay123:

Please expatiate on "beautiful statement of account" how much (in average) in your opinion, is sufficient?

Actually, it's never about the current sum in your account, it is more about the cash flow (frequent inflow and outflow of cash). I can't say exactly how much but make sure the statement shows that you can pay your bills without stress.

I wish you all the best!

kaffy055: pls am still awaiting d guru's reply on my request I Nid to submit d form bfor Sunday.pls is urgent

If you stated one month ago that you are not employed then i guess you should still say same because one month is a short time to make a decision to start a business which is already yielding some returns in your account. I my own opinion just leave it like that.
Since your husband is sponsoring, go with his statement and yours too. If it was on the reason of strong ties you were refused initially,believe me, leaving your husband and your daughter behind (especially your daughter), is enough STRONG TIE. My first appearance at the US embassy, my baby was 4 months old, i was giving a visa but my baby wasn't, (they used her as my STRONG TIE to return to my country, since i said i was only going for a 4 days conference).

So focus on getting all hospital documents (don't know if it's ok to say avoid MIHS and elpaso, though me, i am leaving for MIHS in 2 days time sha, lol!), make sure the statement is BEAUTIFUL enough (them like money), be confident, dress smart and pray for God's favour.

Please oh!, has any phoenix mama, past or present ever bought a car while at phoenix to use and then shipped to nigeria on return. (Since we can drive with our Nigerian drivers license ) Abeg share your experience make person know if we go sell our car for naija carry buy another one for yanki for easy movement and then bring it back home afterwards.

nefertitiram:

Our Phoenix na base na!
lol!

@ nefertitiram. No mind me oh, no bi all i dey understand.

@ Lizcom25, i am still in naija, will be leaving on the 14th of this month though i am no longer elpaso bound, phoenix ppl don steal me commot. . God will grant us all our heart desire.

lizcom25: @dinawe.....are you at base now?

Which one is base oh! ?

Have been reading, guess it's time i start writing.

For those using an american airline (esp Delta), there is nothing wrong with buying a return ticket for your baby, it is usually CHEAP, over cheap the worry the ticket oh!. Infact, for my last baby, i paid less than 100 dollars and still got a free meal ticket from the airline (just because i bi AMERICAN CITIZEN mama ). Secondly, the return ticket is valid for one year, so if you plan coming back to the US within one year, it's like free for the baby.

Note: You can only get this ticket from their office or at the airport, calling them on phone or agent or trying to get it done via their website is usually RUBBISH. When i called wakanow, they asked me to pay 78,000 naira (i.e 458 dollars), so i already prepared my mind to pay that much but got a beautiful surprise by paying less than 100 dollars plus free chopping ticket.

Then, for those confused about picking luggage at POE. It is better you ask on arrival at POE if you need to carry your luggage cos i have had the both experiences. First, From Lagos - Atlanta - New york, I picked up my luggage at Atlanta (THIS PICKING UP IS NO BIG DEAL, THE DISTANCE IS VERY SHORT AND USUALLY NO CUE,), Few months after, i traveled from Lagos - Atlanta - Dallas and i didn't have to pick up my luggage (same flight, same POE), so just ask on arrival if it is necessary or not. Person wey dey ask question no dey miss road.

Am out!

Varvara:

Oh really? I have reservation in Crossland too. I did reservation through internet, so I didn't get discount
So hope that I can ask it directly there.

In what date will you come there?

My reservation is from the 16th of September, but may arrive on the 15th of September.

pattyreal: hello house i was able to reach MIHS, they said they don't send appointment with financials via email. they will only send it to your postal address. gave them the postal address. just want to be sure if i'm on the right track and if that is how its done.

I got mine via email after 2 days. You can call back and insist you want a copy mailed to you. I THINK

Babe16: @Dinawe pls wat number did u call @ cross lands and did dey give u discount. Cos wen I called dey told me 3k plus for just one month. Pls waiting for ur reply so I can book since I haven't gotten any response for other accommodation in Phoenix. Tanx and pls reply soon.

I didn't call any number, booked online http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/az/phoenix?mid=ps-nbran-geo-goo-

Soso15:
Hello dinawe please can you tell me how much you paid at crosslands and how long you will be there for? Thank you

1929 dollars for 70 days.

Varvara: Hello, guys! My husband's case was under administrative proccessing, today I wrote mail in embassy, They told that with my husband there isn't any issue, but they offer to bring my passport to give a visa. So I'm happy ))) Hope during this week I will receive my visa and fly in Phoenix in the next week

Congrats. Will be in Phoenix next week as well. Where will you be staying? I have already booked for Crosslands

ebonyademi: please aw long does it take MIHS to respond to an appointment. i called 2 weeks ago and was lucky to book the appointment via call but yet to get any postal mail from them....................... i need the letter to apply for my Mum ASAP

It normally takes two days to receive the email. Maybe:
1. They didn't get the correct spelling for your email address
or
2. The email went to your spam messages.
You can call them back to complain.

Cheers

For Dallas Mama's:, i used this hospital the last time:

Denton Regional Medical Center
Hospital's Bill: 3,000 (Vaginal Delivery) , 5,000 (C-Section)
Physician (Dr Antonio Asis): Amazing guy: 2,435
Test & Lab cop - 320 + 438
Pathologist - 1,300 (ended up paying 700)
Anesthesiologist and Pediatrician (Can't remember exactly)

You get a lot of discount when you pay all at once.

Congrats @ Mollydee88.

To all the MIHS Mama's. Booking an appointment with MIHS is not as difficult as we all made it sound. Just make sure you call at the right time, guess most people call when they are asleep. We are 8 hours ahead so apparently, they resume by 4:00pm and close by 11:00pm (naija time).
It's a simple and straight forward process, just give your details, (make sure you confirm that they understood the spelling of your email address), u'll get ur appointment date immediately and later receive an email from them.

Secondly, Air France is so affordable right now, N212,000 (return ticket to New York from Lagos).

Happy New Month to every one and May God Bless and Favor us all. Amen!

vcole: Good day all. I've been an avid reader of this post and it has been really insightful. I'm due in October and planning on using el paso. I've got all my documents ready, however, because I didn't make up my mind on time, by the time I submitted my visa app, earliest available date is sept 2nd, my travel date is just a week after that. Any info anyone has on how I can get an earlier date would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

You can expedite your appointment: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-expeditedappointment.asp on medical reasons but you must have the following handy.
1. A letter from a naija doctor saying your case is critical and you should be giving immediate attention.
2. A letter from a US doctor saying they have looked at your case and are ready to receive you
3. Proof that you can pay the bill of have already paid the bills

But if you ask my candid advise, just wait for your normal date, it's not too late since your flight is the next week. Just go ahead with plans, do your bookings for accommodation and pay your hospital registration and deposit, and you'll be just fine.

Move in there with a positive mentality, be 100% honest and believe me, you'll walk out that door with your visa.

Congrats in advance.

AyaSho: Pls I need your advice. My visa will be expiring in March next year. Was told it is better to put in for draw box in January. Please is it advisable to do that. Also, can I also put in for draw box with kids( they don't have Visa)
Your Candid opinion need
One love.

You can use the drop box, either before it expires or within 12 months after it expires.
You cannot use the drop box for your children if they don't have a visa already. The drop box option is only for renewal of visa (though not all class of visa.)

Hope this helps.

@ desertmoonxr: ...thats odd, my sister just had a baby through VBAC[b](much more expensive) [/b]in El Paso with Doctoresparati in June and they list the price on the website

That's actually my point, why should it be much more expensive than CS? More than x 2.