₦airaland Forum

[quote author=nelly2012 post=32469011]Hi dittobaby, are you in Sacramento now?

Not at all. I'm still in Abuja. Planning to travel to Sacramento by May ending if I finally settle for California.

Hmm. Just back from a trip from U.K. Had some toddler and wheelchair experience I think I should share:

I had intended to travel alone with my son who is almost two years but at the last minute something pushed me to go to BA office and buy a ticket for my husband. I later realized that planning to travel alone with my son would have been a mission impossible. I am still thanking God that my husband traveled with us.

I was also looking forward to experiencing the use of the wheelchair as part of my preparation for my US birthing trip.
As we got to the airport, my husband went to check in our luggage while I stayed to keep an eye on my son. I was given a seat as they saw my very big belly and I was already panting. I put my son on my lap and before I knew it, he jumped down and started running about. There was no way I could run after him and catch him. The more I called out at him the more he ran. The airport workers had to help me out in catching him. This went on repeatedly till my husband was through! Lesson no. one If you have a very active child belt him or her up in a buggy(stroller).
My husband finally finished and I asked him, 'How far with the wheelchair?' Only for him to tell me that he told them I would not be needing it till I get to Heathrow airport. I said, 'What! why didn't you ask me first? I'm the one who needs it not you!' He said I shouldn't worry because there is not much in the Abuja airport. That was how I pushed myself till I sat in the plane. My legs and my back were seriously aching me. My son did not have a seat because I paid infant ticket. Thank God my husband was with me so he carried him cas I would not have been able to carry him AT ALL. Lesson no. two If your child is a big infant as in above one and a half years, pay for a child ticket so he gets his own seat and food. My son actually expected his own seat and kept on saying or rather shouting, 'My chair, my chair! My husband had to stand intermittently during the flight to allow our son seat on 'his chair'. Though some other times he would insist to be carried. We had a hard time with him. He refused to play with the assorted toys we came along with (as was suggested by a fellow nairalander on this forum). All he wanted was for me to sing rhymes and 'Let it go' from the Frozen movie to him. Na so I sing till he fell asleep.

As the plane was about to land I called on one of the hostesses and asked if a wheelchair will be waiting for me at the door (another tip I got from this forum). She said she would check and get back to me. She came back and said since I didn't use a wheelchair to the plane, I'm not registered to use one. I told her but it's on my ticket and I really need one. She then said, 'Oh don't worry since you're not connecting it's a short walk out of the airport'. My dear mamas in the house it turned out to be one of the longest walk I had ever walked in my entire life. My husband had to carry our son and the hand luggage and wait for me several times to catch up with him. He did not complain cas he knew he caused it. Half way through I felt my back was going to break and I was also feeling a sharp pain on my left hip. Every step I took was an ordeal. My ever faithful God finally sent an airport shuttle carrying some elderly women to stop by us and that was how I got a ride to immigration. Still did some more walking before finally leaving the airport. As we entered the black cab I said to my husband, 'Short walk indeed'.

Three days later, the sharp pain on my hip had become more severe and I finally burst into tears in front of our hosts in London. I just couldn't bear it in silence anymore! (Don't mind me o. I can be a baby whenever I think I'm suffering). I was taken to a Chinese clinic where I was given Acupuncture and massage treatment for one hour. By the next day, the pain disappeared. It was like a miracle. They (my host family) all warned me to make sure I use the wheelchair on my trip back. Lesson no. three If you know you have a heavy pregnancy especially a pendullus one and back ache make sure you jejely book for a wheelchair and use it from start to finish.

My trip back was much better. I was wheeled all the way to the boarding gate even inside the airport train and bypassed all the queues. The plane was also very very scanty so my son got his own seat and meal. I also got an extra meal On getting to Abuja, the wheelchair was waiting right at the door( though it looked horrible as compared to the one in Heathrow). I was wheeled all the way to the car park beside the car I took home! Yee pee!

MamaTobenna:
Omary83 has born o. Mother and son are doing well. Just left the hospital where i went to see them. Not aware of any outstanding nairaland mummies to be in LA for now so I guess it's a wrap for this batch.

Congrats o! I'm might also be heading to LA if I don't get any affordable hospital in Sacramento. Mamatobenna I have sent you a pm. Seriously expecting your response.

:

uchetobi:
Hmm... Is Houston your Poe?

Have you gone to Florida with your sister wife and hubby and come back as you told them when you got your visa.

My dear letter of intent or not those above listed facts are very critical to your case at Poe or even renewal

New York is my poe and no, we haven't used the visa yet. But quite a number of mamas here have done the same and scaled through, though l know they might hala me for this and I'm prepared to speak grammar to them.

chloe7:
it doesn't because I tried it in the u.k last week and it failed I called card services and I was told it won't swipe because it's a chip and pin card even though it had that black thingy behind, I've even tried it at dubai duty free before and it didn't swipe

Please did you remember to check the British Airways seats? As in the economy seats with more leg room.

If I may continue,

Now, the issue on ground now is that my son doesn't have a US visa. I just got his interview date today which is in April.
How do I prepare for this? Do I go with him like I'm the one preparing for the interview with all my burden of proof? I am thinking they might now want to question me based on my child birth since they did not have the opportunity the last time Or do I stay back and let my husband take him (he his not traveling with us but joining us after the baby is born).

I think I finally have the stamina to post my visa story. I have read tens of such here so I think it's only fair I include mine. It's just that I'm lazy in typing.

Well, I got my visa in January this year before I discovered Nairaland. I went with a very big belly and I applied for visiting visa. Before that day my mum ,who is a regular US visitor, told me l wouldn't be given because of my pregnancy. I was a pure innocent applicant then, didn't know anything about visas and poe. All I knew was that my husband wanted to take his wives to US for vacation and I happened to be pregnant at that time. So, off we went to the Abuja embassy. My husband had drilled us the night before on answering possible questions. Didn't give the whole thing much thought. Was only a little worried I might be denied because of my pregnancy. I asked my younger sister who was currently birthing in Baltimore at that time and she explained how some Nigerians don't pay.

There were so many people on that day. We (I and my sister wife) we're scheduled for 9:00 a.m. but couldn't go in until 11:00 a.m. We went along with our husband's US visa page, hotel reservation, bank statements, marriage certificates,and a few other necessary documents. Our husband wasn't allowed to go in with us since we are adults. While we passed through security, they were all telling me sorry cas I was already panting seriously from the long walk and they could all see I was pregnant despite the big hijab(veil) I was wearing. Some even told me, ' those people they don't like giving pregnant women visa o but you may be lucky' At this point l felt everything was in God's hands. Finally, it was our turn after the lady had rejected all those before us.

VO: Good morning.
Us: Good morning.
VO: What is your name?
Us: We told her our names.
VO: How are you related?
Sister wife: We are wives of the same husband. ( I nodded while she said that)
VO: Oh! ( I giggled silently) What is your husband's name?
Us: His name is..............(My sister wife started pushing the envelope of documents through the hole.
VO: No! Keep it till I ask for it.
VO: Have you travelled with your husband before?
Us: Yes.
VO: Where?
Us: Dubai, Saudi Arabia, London
VO: Okay. So, why are you going to America?
Us: For holiday.
VO: Where in America are you going?
Us: Florida.
VO: Where in Florida?
Us: Orlando
VO: For how long?
Me: Just a week.
VO: Okay. So what do you do?
Us: We run a ....( type of business)
VO: You run it together?
Us: Yes we do.
VO: What do you earn?
Us: #............(equal amounts)
VO: Who is sponsoring the trip?
Us: The ...... (Name of business)
VO: I wish you a nice trip. Pick up your visas on Wednesday. (She hands us a sheet of paper).
Us: Thank youuuuu!

So off we went to give the good news to our husband and he was even happier than us and tipped the security people( they asked us to spread the the joy). They were also like, 'you are very lucky o! They have not been giving pregnant women lately'
My husband who had earlier said he would get a taxi to take us home cas he had been away from work since morning, drove us all the way home!

Few weeks after, my sister gave birth and gisted me of the wonderful experience she had. That was how l too started thinking of birthing in the US (since l had a visa anyway). I then somehow stumbled into Naira land and discovered it ain't gonna be beans.
Well, following my lovely teachers here, I have since notified the embassy of my change of intent to travel and l have received their generic reply. I have also gotten my doctor's appointment letters and hospital fees from both el paso and Houston, though I'm leaning towards Houston. And now my mum is talking about California cas her dear brother is there. I have also bought my tickets for my mum, two year old son and I. Hope I have done well so far?

Hurray! Pictures on this thread at last. That was a nice cute buggy. Would love to see more pictures of baby products, hotel /apartment rooms and environs, hospitals, etc If this is allowed.

I think people are getting tired of answering the same questions over and over again. Let's all try to use the search to look for answers. You would even see more than enough. Eg. Type in Fagbohun or Oak bend and make sure you are searching within the travel section.

Goldenheart88:
Hey beautiful people! I just want to let you all know you are exceptional.

I just arrived New Jersey today via JFK. I flew arik with my 1 year old toddler and my grandmum.
Traveling with a toddler is a lot of work and my grandmum couldn't help much as we were in separate cabins and my son wants only mummy. He screams at the sight of her. I mean I've travelled with him a couple of times since I had him, but doing it with a big belly this time was a huge deal.
I Thank God for the strength to do this. I requested for a wheelchair and it was the best thing that happened to me considering I'm really heavy and had to hold my toddler as well.
Arik accepted me at 29 weeks and I also had to get a fit to fly certificate from the port health authority. Apperently Arik carries preggy passengers till 30 weeks.

I got to the immigration really quick cos I was wheeled. Didn't go with my grandmum cos she's a citizen and I didn't want to answer plenty questions so I asked her to go on her own.
Usually I used to go through with the US citizens cue Because my son is a citizen, but I read somewhere on this thread that it was wrong so I just respected myself and went with visitors.

The immigration officer didn't ask me for any documents or anything even from my toddlers birth. I had all that prepared tho.
She just asked why I'm coming to the US, and why I wanted to give birth in the USA. Where I'll be staying and for how long I'll be staying. When I answered, She asked to see my sons face and stamped us in for 6month, and off we went to the CBP cue. Easy peasy!

I didn't have any foodstuff my grandmum did all the carrying and she wasn't even searched. They sent me to another cue to get questioned because I had above 10k and the Asian guy I met there just laughed with me and let us go, grandmum was already outside waiting. That's all folks. It was a smooth and stress free experience for me and I thank God.

I now have a lot of decision making to do. I think I'll be heading to Houston from NJ. But my family is here. I'll visit the Hackensack hospital and research a lot more about NJ affordable hospitals and make up my mind and let you all know.

May the Good lord guide and give all mums coming into the states a stress free travel and Entry.

Congrats to all the new mum that just had their babies. God is awesome!!!

Cheers!

Congrats on you successful poe. My questions are: Who pushes the wheelchair? On arrival, does this person wait for you to finish inspection with the poe officers? Does he then continue wheeling you to the arrivals lounge? Do you pay him or give him a tip or nothing ? Will appreciate a response from you or anyone else.

OMary83:
[quote author=bbaby84 post=31597186.
MamaTobenna has put to bed a bouncing baby girl and she is so adorable.Mum and baby r in excellent health,I just left them at d hospital now.

Congrats oooo!!!

drafrican:
Yes u can request at their office
You can send an email
They have an online form for health and special requests

Oh really? Thanx.

drafrican:
You will pay a service charge at their office bank rates are regulated by CBN and can only differ by a maximum of 1 or 2 NAIRA which is 2000 your service charge to BA at their office will be more than that

If I pay at the bank, can I still go to them and request for wheelchair?

[quote author=Oresmum post=31567995][/quote]Thanks a million and God bless you for your response! I just wanted to be sure the place was manageable cas I can get easily irritated.
Though I still have to see how I'll cope in one single room with my mum for three months! God willing, I'll be using Northwest Medical Centre.
I just received my acceptance/appointment letter from Dr Glenn Morgan today I think it was from you I got the info about the hospital and Dr. on this thread. Thanks once again. I hope your baby is doing fine. Would appreciate any more useful info.

Please these questions are for those staying at or have stayed at the In town Suites at Rolling Creek Drive, Houston:

Are there many Nigerians there?
Are the rooms(two bed) spacious enough? Is there always hot water running?
Is there an iron/ironing board?
What other amenities aside kitchen utensils should one bring along or prepare to buy?
what is the cost of extra cleaning service?
Is the $50 tax paid every week. If yes, is it refunded at the end of the week or is the total tax refunded at the end of your stay?
Is there a discount for paying monthly?
How is the WI FI service? Is is fast and efficient?
How is life around the place? Are there malls, parks, fast food joints, train/bus station etc nearby?
There is a daycare(Happy Kids) close by. How close is it? Can a very heavily pregnant woman walk there and back to the suites every morning and evening?
What are the shortcomings one should know and prepare for?

uchetobi:
I booked my ticket on hold via their website and paid through my gt internet banking. Was way cheaper than waka now

I've been trying that but I keep getting a message saying the payment cannot be confirmed cas of variation in the amount. The message also provides another amount slightly lower than that of the Naira equivalent from BA. I'll just go and pay in their office cas I don't want my money to hang o.

mabels:
.

Ha. That ll be expensive o
Gtb dollar rate is higher than BA's. You can use ur master card to pay online. Ve used my fcmb card to pay before.

I guess I'll just book online and go to their office to pay. Thanx

Please has anyone successfully paid for British Airways online before? or must one pay at their office. online prices are much cheaper than their office prices. When I asked they said they add service charge. I've been trying to pay online but without success.

How come there are no pictures on this thread? It would have been more interesting and informative.

uchetobi:
They won't allow kids or people with infant sit on exit row seat but anyone can sit at the economy comfort. More leg room and he seat reclines better

Please which seat is the economy comfort?

babyspice:
Congrats on you r visa and good luck with your plans,you can get the info about layovers from your flight ticket or the airline website.

As for travelling with a 2 year old , I suggest you carry a bag ( preferably your child's own hand luggage, a kids bag-pack will do). Fill it up with what he/she likes at the moment, i.e favourite activities,ipad/tablet( charger + cable o!!), colouring books with crayons(NOT FELT TIP MARKERS!!!), toys etc. what i do is give a new toy( tiny plastic figurine or anything small) every 2 or so hrs , to keep them surprised.
Also, favorite snack, not food, snack!!! cookies, juice-box or whatever. Diapers for the entire trip, calculate what is used in a 48 hr period. some kids tend to get a bit constipated during travel becos of the chnge in diet, cabin pressure, don"t ask me how i know but it happens. kids Panadol/ibruprofen syrup, thermometer( i have used it in flight it saved me a lot of headache worrying over sudden temp). Change of clothes. not jeans o!! They hard to take off on a small child in a cramped airplane toilet. loose fitting comfortable clothes with a vest underneath for warmth. at least 3 changes will do, these kids can be quite messy.

If you are travelling alone with your toddler, give yourself adequate rest 48hrs before you travel, you will need your energy my dear!!!! transit is a b****, work around your toddlers sleep schedule. i have travelled and still travel with twin toddlers, ALONE!!! it aint beans!!!!!


Finally, plan, plan, plan!!!!

God is your strenght!!!

This is super advice! I sure need it. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Oresmum:
I used this hospital and Dr Glenn too. It was a nice experience and the Dr is superb. He also accepted my lab work from Naija. There's additional charge for false labour - 200 or so. The hospital also charged 100 for circumcision. I had a baby boy through CS. The only additional cost might arise if you use the hospital's paediatrician - cost depends on services rendered on the child. I stayed at Intown Suites till I delivered due to the distance. It's about 7mins drive and Dr Glenn's office is right next to the hospital.
I'm done and heading home in a few days.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have

Please how much is doctor's fee for cs. Which particular lab tests did you find it necessary to do there?

Oresmum:
Intown Suites on Rolling Creek Drive.

Peaditrician cost depends on what they do. I paid 1,500. It would have been less if I was well informed and if I had negotiated well.

Congrats! Please how much is in town suites. Is payment per week?

chloe7:
my flight is on friday so i'll check them out. 24 hours to your flight seats will be free to choose but limited seats sha, there are some seats they don't even open to pay for at all

I really want to pay for comfortable seats (3- including mum and toddler son) where I can stretch my legs cas they swell easily. Please when you board help me scan the seats especially those ones that start each section of the plane immediately behind the partition. The seats are 3 in a row by the window and aisle. Check if they have more leg room. Thanks and have a safe trip!

chloe7:
when check in opens the seats becomes free but if you want a more comfortable seat you can pay and those comfortable seats are from numbers 28 and below, you can call to confirm because i'm not so sure but I have a flight with them in a few days so I can confirm if that won't be too late

No, it won't be late. My flight is in May. Thanks.

Please has anyone paid for a selected seat on British Airways and used it? What is the difference between the $27 and $38 seat? How and when does one request for wheelchair and bassinet. Do you pay?

Kjjhhh

mummyprincess:
Hello house!
Pls how do I get to our part 1? Want to go look up some things.

Meanwhile, my appointment with Dr Fagbohun yesterday was excellent. I had all my questions written out n he took his time to answer all of them.
I hope my subsequent experiences will not be anything less.

Go to page 0 and you will see a link to part 1.

sayoberry:
Pls to those that sent me mails, I'll take time to reply you. Pls be patient. U know say Na only me dey here with two pikin.

Only you! How are you gonna cope when you are discharged! What will you do when your babies are screaming for food at the same time?

Seriously, I think you should hire a nanny real quick.

lalavita:
I have a UK visa.

E hen! No wonder. Seems I'll just have to get a UK visa for her. I don't want mine to expire without using it. Thanks a lot for your explanations.