ugoguchy:
I had similar experience my dear,mine was in may,at 41 weeks,went into active labour,left for the hospital, heartbeat was monitored,nurse said i cant get the heartbeat please lay sideways,i managed to get into that position and the heartbeat was finally picked but wasn't regular,next thing water broke and it was greenish,baby has pooped inside,few minutes later baby came out,was rushed to NICU,heartrate was fluctuating,she couldn't breathe on her own,she was placed on oxygen, antibiotics too,during that period a cardiologist had to be called in to examine her heart,she spent 3 nights in NICU,each night was amounting to $20k,she was stable after the 2nd night and the oxygen was taken out,upon discharge we got the total bill of almost $60k,i paid paediatrician,radiologist, cardiologists,gynaecologist differently,am glad we came out victorious, the devil really tried so had,starting from my visa processing but we over came,we are back and all bills cleared,the placenta to come out is story for another day,it was a short but difficult labour that ended in praise....

Terrifying experience, but good to know that it ended well.
But was it the neonatalogists, etc. who charged so much for NICU? General NICU rate is $1000-3600 that much i gathered ..

justwise:




Please be careful so as not to get scammed, you have been asking this sort of question here far too often, you will be targeted by dubious agents here.

Use Internet and search for accommodation closeer to the hospital you be using, very easy to do rather than posting desperately here

Thanks for advice. South LA is so full of crime and St.Francis seem to be surrounded by high crime areas. Hence the desperation.

ugoguchy:
I have used LA port of entry 3 times,depending on who you meet,questions will be asked,so go with all the documents you need
goodluck

Guess you used St.Francis?
Where did you stay? Need help on accomodation.

Eilenora:
hello mamas,

pls does ne1 know nethn about LA port of entry? all advice will be greatly appreciated as I will be travelling in a few weeks and need to b prepared.

Where you going to stay? We have been planning LA too but accomodation is giving challenge

Artiod:
Hello Everyone, in the spirit of giving back here’s my story.

DH and I applied for a visa in March 2016, during the interview I declared I was going to give birth and the only document that was checked was my correspondence with the doctor. Our application was successful. I travelled in May to Houston and POE was a breeze. I declared to the CBP officer that I was having my baby and that was it. Had my LO at WHMC, paid all my bills and came home.

Congrats, where did you stay and was it safe out there? Any inputs appreciated!

Fyorgyn:


I stayed in Inglewood not too far from Dr M's office and it was relatively safe.

Thanks.Can you provide details of accomodation if it was airbnb or a hotel or agent?
Also, as you mentioned relatively safe.. was it ok during daytime? Or that block in Inglewood was safer?

Hello,

Mums who used St.Francis in LA, did they find area around it in Lynwood/Inglewood safe to live?

Any suggestions on safe area to live around St.Francis?

Thanks

Gloriagee:
Healthy baby package is with pediatrix - the pediatrician that attends to babies in HNWMC whilst miracle moments is with the hospital.

Truth is you can be on the miracle moments package and not access the Healthy Baby package. You have to specifically request it from Pediatrix , otherwise you end up paying over 1k USD as your pediatrician bill.

Thanks

Bejewelled:
Hi. I just sent you an email, responding to your queries.

Can you please send details to me as well.
I will send you generic email

Eclectica:
Hi guys,
For those of us that used HNWMC and got billed by Pediatrix for the pediatrician services, please be sure that the payment you made & discount given reflects on your account……………especially if you have been given a discount.


In our own case, we got our bill early July - $1456; we called a number of times to request for a healthy baby package and after many calls they eventually gave a 50% discount - $728 and we were given until 3rd Aug to pay.
At this point, our question to them was would they be able to send us a new bill that will reflect the 50% discount (The reason behind our question was for us to have a documented proof that we were given this discount when we present our docs at the Embassy or at POE in the future)?
Every agent we spoke to advised that another bill cannot be sent out and that the discount and our payment will reflect on our account (mymedicalme account). After so much persistence, we were told that the request will be sent to central billing and so our account was on hold. The account was on hold for over 2 weeks and after several calls to them, we were advised that they cannot send out a revised bill.
We eventually paid the $728. After 2 business days I checked our mymedicalme account and it was still showing :
Payoff Amount: $728
Amount Due: $728
Due Date Oct 2018.
So I had to call them again. I had to explain myself all over again to the agent I spoke with…..she advised that it will be referred to central billing and put the account on hold. It took them another week to rectify this, and finally our account is now showing Amount Due: $0.


So if you used HNWMC/Pediatrix, please confirm your account has a Zero Balance to avoid stories that touch in the future.

Healthy Baby package ? Is it different from Miracle Memories package? We have been given Miracle Memories at HNWMC.. pls advice

[quote author=fola62 post=70078904][/quote]

Sent you generic forum email request.
Pls accept and pls provide doctor/hospital/accomodation details like cost, email address etc.

Thanks

baeboss:
Hello mamas! Its been long. Just breezed in to say hi. Im happy this page is moving forward. i learnt alot from this page and I was able to help others too with the information i got. Kudos to all those who keep sharing and helping. A lot of babies now have a bright future bkos of u. Kiss! Kiss!


Im always here if anyone needs any information esp Oakbend mamas kos dats where i gav birth (may 2017)

Thanks for checking back, any recommendations where to stay in Houston?

LovelyJas:


Houston POE wasn’t bad at all, In fact, it was the other way round- they were very nice and attended to me quickly. Now I don’t know if it was because I was heavily pregnant and was traveling with my toddler alone.

I was only asked where I was going to stay, how much I had on me and he added that he hoped my husband was coming to help me out.

I declared I had over 10K and was directed to somewhere to fill out forms. They asked me what foodstuff I had and I said just the regular Nigerian food, nothing spectacular...They got someone to help me with my luggage and they wished me well.

It was very short. Other pregnant women were still on the queue but I was singly directed to an officer who wasn’t attending to anyone to attend to me. After filling out the forms, he helped me wheel my luggage out to where I could find my Aunt. I guess he probably pitied me wheeling my luggage and coming back to wheel my son’s stroller.

Wonderful, thanks for your reply.

LovelyJas:
Please can someone refer me to a reliable nanny?..I’m in Houston Texas..How much would she charge?

Sorry for question out of context. When you arrived in Houston and how was POE interview?
Is Houston easy POE or they do send people back?

Thanks

Gloriouscrown:
Hello mamas, pls can someone link me up with any affordable short stay accommodation in Houston around September? I would really appreciate this. Thanks

When in September you travelling?
We also evaluating Houston , HNWMC in particular.
Be in touch

Fyorgyn:


Hi

I gave birth in LA... I don't think we have any San Francisco mama. You can search for hospitals in SF and call them to get information on the cost implications for self paying patients.

I researched on SF, very expensive.
Which hospital/doctor you used in LA?
St.Francis was it in Lynwood?

Thanks

Hello,

Any references for San Francisco hospitals and doctors?

Other than Houston looking for SF area as it’s closer by flight to us.

Thanks

bahf:
Hello @expectingmum. i'm 28 weeks too and plan to be there at about same time as you. Pl lets connect

Sent email to your private email , gmail one.

peace914:


Yes, they did, I had all that on me and presented them and it was still hassle free except for the receipts I mentioned that I forgot. My hostess at this beautiful place where I stay is just awesome. Hospitality is great. Please waiting for my advise. If you need any more questions, email me.

I have sent you email request on Nairalsnd forum.
Did you get it else can you send me your other email?

peace914:
Good evening everyone. I thank God for journey mercies. Just want to give back to the community [NL]. I just landed in Houston today to have my 2ND baby....30weeks old pregnant. Had a smooth trip. Thank God I was picked up at the airport by my Host. Everything went well @ the POE but had a little problem because ... left my previous receipts from my last delivery in Nigeria but thank God i had pictures on my phone which I showed to the Imm. officer, had to print them, accepted. Very nice black guy.
Please make sure are truthful in all your responses ooooo.
Please does anyone know which hospital is the best to use in Houston? My Host gave me 2 options OBMC or HNWMC . Too tired now .
Pls advise me. Thanks

Immigration didn’t ask for Doctor’s appointment letter or hospital communication and charges?
We are 28 weeks pregnant and planning to be there around 34 weeks.

Let’s be in touch.

CmMama:


Houston North West Medical Center. I used Dr Xydas.
I stayed at a rented apartment.
For the email/ phone number, I believe that constitutes as advert here and I would be bringing a rule.
Send me a generic mail.

Sent you generic mail, can you accept it?
Thanks

CmMama:
Hello fam! I am back to Nigeria after a successful journey. I had applied for a medical visa which was granted. I arrived Houston via British Airways at 35 weeks. I spent exactly 9 weeks.
Baby arrived 3 weeks later at HNWMC.
Doctor's fees $2000
Hospital fees $2100. The additional 100 was the hospitals fees for circumcision.


Baby's SSN came in the mail at exactly 5 working days.
Birth Cert was picked up at the Harris County after 5 days too. It cost $21. I was amazed at the ease. They are really organised.
Hubby had his notorisation appointment 2 weeks after baby was born. I received this 2 days later and scheduled an appointment for an expedited passport.
Passport was ready after 2 days. Costs $175

The pathology and pediatric bill came in at about 4 weeks.
At 4 weeks, everything was ready. So the next 2 weeks
was for holidaying, Lol.
Baby's ticket costed a whooping $450. I don't recommend British Airways to anyone for this kind of trip! I didn't even get a bassinet.


VOA letter was sent, the reply came in during the connecting flight so I couldn't print. I screen grabbed it and showed the officers. I paid $190 cash.
In all it was a great experience�.

Congratulations!
Can you share hospital email and doctor email/phone/name ?
Also, where you stayed?
We are planning for sep-oct but can’t reach their website from our region.

Thanks

we planning for Dallas or Tucson in Sep-Oct.
Anybody travelling there around skmilar time?

We are not from Nigeria though but forum have been great help.

Thank you all.

Hello,

Can someone provide some doctor/hospitals contact information?
Tried reaching Houston area but website didn’t load and very confused if Doctores ParaTi can be used?

Open to all US reasonably priced options(no location preference).

Can anyone advice some doctor/hospitals?

Thanks

chinybelle:
Kindly help if your can.

My sis is trying to apply for b2 visa for childbirth in the US while her husband will apply for b1/b2 to join her after baby is born before they will all come back together. Her husband is sponsoring the trip and she is a stay at home wife,this is their first.

Now the question

Are they supposed to be interviewed together or will they book for interview separately ?

Thank u

We applied together(DH and myself) and were issued B1/B2 both although in DS-160 we applied for B2.

[quote author=BBojo post=69624148][/quote]

What reason/document proof you provided to get expedited passport?

Jenny8935:
Hello NL family. I am back once again to give back even though I am not very active on the group. But the group has been very helpful to me since I started reading in January. I read virtually all the previous parts (1-5) and silently followed part 6. I dropped my visa renewal interview here in March. So, to my POE story. I flew Airfrance at 36 weeks plus to Houston 2 days ago with DH. Had 3 hours transit at Paris.... Excellent flight and good food especially the 'steaming hot Jollof rice' with chicken. Lol. Arrived Houston about 2pm. No queue at immigration. Met a white Officer.
DH and I :Good afternoon
Officer :Good afternoon, passports please (hand him our current passports)
Officer : Purpose of visit?
DH and I : Medical for childbirth. We are expecting a baby.
Officer : (scans our passport) have you been to the US before?
DH : yes, this is my 3rd time and my wife's 4th time in the US.
Officer : where are you having the baby?
DH: St. Louis, MO. We leave for St. Louis tomorrow
Officer : How much do you have for the visit?
DH: 4,052 dollars in cash and about $13,500 in cards. (NB : we already paid doctor and hospital before our visa interview but didn't bother stating it at the interview and at the POE)
Officer : why St. Louis?
Me: That's where we had our last baby 3 years ago. We are using the same doctor and hospital cos we had a good experience with them the last time.
Officer : stamps us in for 6months each and says we can proceed to baggage claim. (no secondary)
Immigration lasted just about one minute or less. We collected our luggage and headed for exit. Every one crossed customs/agric officers without being asked any questions but as we passed, one over Sabi officer (Asian or Mexican self) sighted my big stomach and the car seat on top of our luggage (cos we put it in a transparent nylon bag) and immediately stopped us and called us to the side.
Officer : can I see your passports? (hand over to him)
Officer : I can see you are here for childbirth.
DH and I : yes
Officer : Did you go to the secondary room upstairs?
DH and I : nope
Officer : how come? Didn't you tell the immigration officer that you are here for childbirth
DH and I : we did
Officer : calls the other officer standing with him (a black older officer this time)
Black Officer : Did the immigration officer see your documents eg: doctor's correspondence, appointment, any evidence of payment and proof of financial status?
DH and I : nope, he didn't ask for the documents , only asked where we were going to deliver and why and how much we had for it. But we have all the documents with us.
Black officer : can I see them (we hand him a file containing all the burden of proof: doctors correspondence, doctors acceptance letter, doctors appointment, hospital correspondence, hospital and doctors receipts of payment, budget plan and statement of account and my maternity leave letter)
He flips through them quickly and hands back to us.
Black officer: what do you do in your country
DH: I am a ****, my wife is a **** (we are both doctors)
Black officer(now smiling with us) : Can I ask a question?
DH and I : Go ahead (thinking he wanted to ask a medical question to ascertain if we are truly doctors)
Black officer : how come you have the doctors and hospitals in Nigeria, yet all of you want to come here to have your babies?
Before we could even answer, he cuts us in.....
Black officer : let me tell you what I think. I think you all just want the citizenship by birth for the baby (still smiling)
DH and I : Definitely!!! That's the number one reason. It gives the baby prospects of a better life in future and better academic and career opportunities in life. (smiling back)
Black officer : (now laughing and nodding in agreement) The baby may also fetch you guys a green card and citizenship later in the future.
DH and I : Exactly, thats right.
Black officer : (still smiling from ear to ear) you know what? I truly appreciate your truthfulness... Welcome to America and have a safe delivery.
DH and I : Thanks a lot
Meanwhile, they forgot to ask for the food items we had and didn't even ask for the declaration form. Although we didn't take any contraband foodstuff like chicken noodles, chicken Maggie, Yam, fresh vegetables or meat. So, no agric.
Thanks once again NL family. I hope this gives hope and encouragement to others here. Please let's continue to speak the truth at all times. It's not a crime to birth in the US. Jus stick to the rules and you'll be fine.

Can suggest who is the doctor and hospital you guys using?

Summerrr:


I live in Sydney, how about you?

I am based in HK. Do you have an email ? May be we can take this offline?

Summerrr:
Hi All, I’m not Nigerian but I hope it’s ok to ask a few questions - there is so much knowledge in this thread!! I am pregnant and looking to give birth in the USA. I am eligible for ESTA so I don’t believe I will have any visa issues. I’d like to bring my MIL along and she will need one but hopefully I can work out a tourist visa for her.

Where are you from? Seem we are from part of the world and in same boat?

As others mentioned, being true of intent is best.
Let me know where you based out of and i can provide more details as Hawaii is closer to me as well?

Good luck