₦airaland Forum

Ok cool, that's still much earlier than me (December by God's Grace)

All the very best with your visa interview.

oyinkay123: 30TH SEPT, IF I GET THE VISA.

Hi @ogonnan, @mimibe please are you staying with family or in rented accommodation? If rented accommodation can you kindly share the details including cost? Thank you very much.

Hi @oyinkay123, when do you intend to travel to Atlanta?

ogonnan: Hallos... he charges $2000 for vaginal i believe but that is if you pay by your first visit (abi @mimibe?). did your friend tell you which part of his services she was impressed with? and what she thought was impersonal about him?

if she didnt feel there was anything wrong while she was there (and was only after comparing), then might still be okay. my doctor now is quite impersonal, so that won't be a deal breaker for me, as long as Oduro is willing to listen, sympathetic and is good at his work (and not a complete meanie), i dont really need him to be my best friend . my own 2 cents sha.

Hi @ogonnan, she definitely liked his professionalism and the fact that he knows what he is talking about - infact, she has used him 2wice now for her 2 kids so he's definitely good and that was not a deal breaker for her at all. What she specifically highlighted though when she said impersonal was access to him e.g. she always had to go through his office to reach him as opposed to some other mums who could call their docs direct at any time of the day with any question. Having said that, she said he does listen and will address all your questions whenever you meet with him.

Hi @mimibe, @ogonnan, Great to know you are already there. In terms of accommodation, are you staying in a hotel? I won't be in Atlanta till December by God's Grace.

I was also thinking of using Dr. Oduro and I was told that he's good by someone who used him recently, but that she didn't feel like his service was 'personalised' enough after comparing notes with other mums. Oh well, I guess as long as he knows his work. How much is he charging?

Awww I will send you another one now. Thank you.

Soso15: I'm so sorry about that. Honestly I'm new here. I dunno where to find your message. I got a message yesterday saying, you sent an email but when I checked I was asked to connect with you which I did. Maybe you should resend

Soso15: I'm not sure about her bathing the baby because I planned to travel with my mom so I didn't ask her about that.

Hi @Soso15, I sent you an email via nairaland regarding the lady's contact details but am yet to receive a response, kindly check. Thank you.

@mimibe, are you using Gwinnett as well? When will you be travelling?

Soso15: Hello, I was planning to have my baby in gwinnett medical centre. There's a girl in Atlanta that has a house, accommodates mothers to be for a fee of $2000 monthly. She will also drive you to the hospital for doctor's appointments, grocery store etc. if the price is good for you, you can drop your email address and I can forward you her details.

Hi @Soso15, thanks for your response. I will send you a private message so that you can have my email address. Thanks.

Hello House,

Please does anyone have information on reasonably priced accommodation in Atlanta? I plan to use Gwinnett Medical Centre in Lawrenceville so looking for something not too far from the hospital. Thank you.

ori777: I flew with mine at 3 weeks. Peadiatrician confirmed it was ok.

@ori777 Thanks very much for your response.

[quote author=MrsDGN]@MrsDGN I have sent you a private message, please check your e-mail inbox

MrsDGN: Thanks for your response. I just noticed some people on the thread say they are booking flights avoiding Atlanta, so I was curious. Meanwhile, how much is Gwinet? All inclusive? Drs bill, hospital bill et al? When are you travelling? What airline are you using? Where are you departing from? Forgive my plenty questions abeg. Thing is, I intend to leave from abuja. We usually fly Emirates because we have frequent flier miles with them. But Emirates doesn't fly to Atlanta, their closest stop is Houston then I'll have to take a local flight to Atlanta. Not sure I can do all that wahala, dubai stop over, Houston stop over with big belle and a toddler in tow. Another thing is, their flight costs for Oct/Nov is 600k for 2 of us! Any cheaper options? I really don't want to fly from lagos, but I'll consider it if the price is right.

@MrsDGN Yes I also noticed that people try to avoid Atlanta POE, apparently they are notorious for turning pregnant women back. Having said that, I also know a few preggo women who have gone through smoothly after showing they had all their finances in order. I believe that if one is honest and has all proper documentation and finances, there should be no issues.


As for Gwinnett, the costs I have received so far are as follows (Obtained from my friend who gave birth there earlier this year):

Doctor's fees: $2,500 (it was actually $2,800 but she was able to negotiate it down)
Hospital fees: $2,100 (it was actually $6,000 but she got a good discount because she was paying cash)
Epidural if you want: $500 if you decide and pay before you deliver, but $1,200 if you decide during labour i.e. on the day you give birth
Pediatrician: $600 (though she later found out she could have gotten a cheaper pediatrician)

I contacted the doctor myself last night and he will send me an e-mail with his costs and other necessary information, after which I will negotiate on price. I also sent a message to the hospital last night and am awaiting their response.

I will be travelling in the 2nd week of December by God's Grace, though I haven't bought my ticket yet. The cheapest one I have seen so far is Delta and that was about 360,000. I have heard that if I wait a bit more and book towards the end of September, then it should be cheaper. If I don't use Delta, the other options I will consider are KLM, Virgin or Air France.

I have used emirates before, though I flew to New York, it was stressful. The layover was quite long, up to the point that I had to book a hotel room in the airport terminal and sleep (that's the good thing though more cost, there is a hotel inside the Dubai airport so you don't even have to worry about UAE visa or immigration). Also, the journey was long, Lagos - Dubai was about 8hrs, then Dubai - New York was 13hrs 45mins, I wanted to cry, lol. Since then I promised myself not to do it again. I would rather fly through Europe with shorter flight times or just go direct from Lagos, though it will also be a long flight but at least no changing flight wahala etc especially since you've said even when you get to the US after 2 flights, you have to take a 3rd flight to get to Atlanta. That sounds stressful o especially as you will be going with a toddler. When will you be travelling?

@Pamperme Thanks very much for your response. I was planning to do 4 weeks so I guess that is fine.

Pamperme: Two weeks.

MrsDGN: Someone should please respond to my earlier post na. Is the $2888 at MHIS inclusive of Dr's bill, hospital bill, tests and paediatrician? Plus why is everyone running from Atlanta, Georgia. What's the cost of accommodation for myself and my toddler son on the average?

@MrsDGN I intend to use Gwinett in Atlanta, Georgia ooo.

Hello house,

Please I would like to ask - what is the earliest age that one can fly with her baby back home after giving birth in the US?

Looking forward to your responses. Thank you.

Good morning house,

Please I would like to ask - what is the earliest age that one can fly with her baby back home after giving birth in the US?

Looking forward to your responses. Thank you.

@dserious God bless you 1 million fold. Thanks very much. I assume you sent it to LagosNIV@state.gov?

dserious: @ Genomi ds is wat i sent to them, u can re-word to suit u

Subject: Change in travel plans

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to notify the embassy of a change in my travel plans. I have a B1/B2 visa which was obtained for a family vacation. I am pregnant and we have decided to have our baby in the USA. I have contacted a hospital in the USA for this purpose and we have adequate finances to cover all expenses.

I understand my visa covers for this purpose but would like to request you kindly update my records to reflect this change in travel plans. Also please advise if there is any other thing i would need to do.

Thank you.

Hello House,

Please can someone kindly share the template of the e-mail used to inform the American Embassy of intention to go and deliver in the US?

Thank you very much.

Hello House,

Please can someone kindly share the template of the e-mail used to inform the American Embassy of intention to go and deliver in the US?

Thank you very much.

twizzie: @GenoMi, congrats! Thanks for sharing..At least I have learned that here. My mom had to go for another interview even though she wanted to renew and the VO told her she could have used the drop box if her visa hadn't expired(it was less than a year). Good thing ifax explained bettber!

@twizzie Hmm. It somehow seems the VO in your mums case wasn't sure. I'm not surprised because I also called the helpline on their website before reapplying to find out of I was eligible and was told I was not. If not for the information @ifax provided I would have also gone through the long interview method. Well it's good we have this forum to learn and share. Thanks a lot.

Hi @twizzie, @ifax

Just to update you that I have just picked my visa up. I was able to use the dropbox process even though my last US visa had expired over 1 year ago. So I can confirm that anyone whose last visa expired no more than 2 years prior to re-applying can use the dropbox method. Thanks for your help.

cgese: Please peeps, how does a name change due to marriage affect the dropbox process?. I intend renewing my passport through dropbox,but there's be a name change due to marriage. Has anyone gone through this process recently?

Hi cgese. Do u now have a passport that bears ur new married name? I am in a similar situation, recently got married and submitted for renewal by drop box today. I'm still using my old passport in my maiden name but I stated in the application that I am married. So I submitted my old passport as I am not ready to go all the way to abuja for a new passport yet.

Abujamomma71: Hello All,

I have just returned from a "successfull" delivery in MIHS. I have been a long time lurker of this forum and have appreciated EVERYBODY's invaluable help. This was may second delivery after my first was 7 years ago in El Paso (Doctoresparati.com), I think before this thread stared and was EXTREMELY pleased. I decided to try MIHS because many on this forum were going do to price (and I am not rich by any means).

In any case, I was not impressed with the service but it could be because I had alread been to El Paso and could compare that the service was simply at another level. It was extremely difficult to maintain communication MIHS before we went and was almost denied entry where everything was smooth with Doctoresparati from the first moment of contact. Also, the distance to he hospital was alot longer and more expensive to the point that added all together it was almost the same in El Paso which offerred better service. There had been some post here by some dear members showing the rankings of both MIHS and Del Sol (Doctoresparati) and hopefully people do their research as they are very true stating El Paso coming out above average and MIHS with below average rating.

All in all Im glad I made it back safe but I think I could have gotten a better deal if I had gone back to El Paso. I must admit that I was very nervous when I would read (before the 200+ posts were erased) that people already enrolled and in Phoenix would travel back to El Paso (somebody should try to recover all those threads). Also, there is a very big international comunity in El Paso staying at the more popular hotels (the El Paso clan) that make the whole process much easier since everybody helps each other which was also exteremly helpfull and invaluable. I hope I was able to help but eveybody has there reasons to go wherever they choose, I only wanted to share my experience and hopefully it helps someone as this forum has helped me and so many more. God bless all.

@Abujamomma71 Welcome back and congrats on your safe delivery. Also, thanks very much for giving us feedback of your experience, it's definitely helped me with making my decision. Though I would love to save money, I am also very keen on the level of service I will receive especially as I do not have family in the US. I would love to receive excellent service even if that means spending a bit more money.

ifax: Yes you are eligible for Dropbox

Thank you ifax, I appreciate your contribution. I will go ahead and apply through the drop-box method.

But one question I have is that using drop-box do I need to enclose docs such as letter from my place of work, payslips, bank statements, work ID card etc? Because when I applied for the first time the VO did not check any of these docs though I had them on me, and my interview was over in less than a minute and I was granted the 2 year B1/B2 visa. The only question asked was 'how much do you earn after tax' of which I told him, and that was it.

Phema: Doctores Para Ti? Do they have a branch in Dallas now?

Lol sorry no branch in Dallas o, I was just thinking Texas (instead of El Paso)

GenoMI: Wow for real? Yes I am also considering Dallas (Doctores Parati). Are you also using them?

That ticket and accommodation deal sound good o. Yes please let's chat, I will send you a private message.

Ahh wait o, Doctores Parati is in El Paso not Dallas, lol. Guess I was just thinking Texas. Please what hospital are you using? I have sent you an e-mail.

Flowers: @GenoMI: I am going to Dallas in Dec and I got d ticket for 253k. I will be staying @ extended stay and would be paying 1900 for accommodation for 7wks. We can chat if u r considering Dallas.

Wow for real? Yes I am also considering Dallas (Doctores Parati). Are you also using them?

That ticket and accommodation deal sound good o. Yes please let's chat, I will send you a private message.

mamacajah: @ Twizzie and GenoMI, You could try the Wyckoff Hospital in brookyn ($7k), Metroplitian hospital in Manhattan($8k), or Christ Hospital, NJ ($10k). These were the cheapest options I got for NY/NJ before I changed my mind for Atlanta. Atlanta has south regional hospital (sent an email, yet to get a response from them) but I am using one in Augusta. Normal delivery about $6k total but I won't pay for accommodation, so that seems fair to me. I would have loved to go to MIHS but my hubby wants me to be with family, so Georgia, here I come

I have been advised to wait till end August before booking my flights. All flight fares now are summer prices, but prices will drop from end -august to september. hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips - I will check out those hospitals online though none beaths MIHS prices yet lol.
Lucky you since you have family you can stay with - makes a lot of sense since you will make considerable savings on accommodation, feeding etc.Plus it's always good to have familiar people around. Hopefully the flight tickets should go down. When are you going? Because I've been checking tickets for December period and they are all in the $2k region to Houston and Phoenix

twizzie: @ GenoMI,
Na real wa..
Called another hospital in that region Lankenau medical center, I almost vexed drop the phone. (Both DCIM and Lankenau were posted by someone I think on page 54-58 on this thread)
20,000 Vagina birth and 30,000 for cs. That's just hospital bill, though you get a 60% discount but you have to pay 10k deposit and also find a physician.
I have families in Philly and NJ, that's why I a checking the area out but it seems NY is rubbing off on them.
Abeg, make I call MIHS jeje. Will give feed-back as well!!
Veterans in the house, abeg talk oooooo
ciao!!

20,000 womanliness birth and 30,000 for cs. CHEIIII

twizzie: Hello house.
For those interested in the Philly region, I just called, DCMH.Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Was referred by someone that had her baby last year and she paid about 3500-4000(hospital bill and doc).
Apparently, the price has gone up over 100%. Was told it's currently 7500. 6000 for hospital bill and 1500 for doctor's bill. Was directed to the financial services department when I asked if I was going to get further discount for paying cash upfront. Called but was told it's a flat rate. The amount doesn't cover ultrasound and blood test and you have to bring in your medical file to avoid paying more.
Hope this helps someone.. Will try call another hospital in that region.
Please mums using or have used MIHS, Abeg show ooo and tell us your experience. Seems that's going to be an option I might have to consider.

Hi twizzie,

Na wa o, MIHS seems like the most reasonable option so far, though flights for the time I want to go are around 300k minimum (Dec by God's Grace). Even all the accommodation i.e. extended stay america has nothing available. Don't know what to do next.

twizzie: GenoMI]Hello House,

Please I need some advice from you.

I would like to have my baby in the US though I am due to deliver in January 2015 I would like to start laying the ground work now.
I have been issued a B1/B2 US visa before which expired in February 2013 (I used it 2wice) but my husband has never applied for a US visa before and we would like to go together. Please I want to know if:

1. I can apply for a new visa through the drop-box program and if this may affect me at POE since I will not have the opportunity to explain at interview that I am going to give birth

2. How and when my husband should apply

I will really appreciate your responses. Thank you very much.



I don't think you are eligible for the drop box as well. You should have applied before your visa expired. From the look of things, it is advisable to apply and go together as a couple.
Start correspondence with hospitals and get letter of responsibility, do a spreadsheet for all the cost associated. make sure you have a good account balance for whoever is sponsoring you. Get appointment with a doctor. With all these, I think you are good to go for the interview. As previously said on this thread, be truthful during your interview..
All these, I have learned on this thread! All the best!!!

Thank you very much for your response twizzle - much appreciated. Please I asked about drop-box because of this post I saw earlier on this thread:

For a B1/B2 visa holder:

The applicant is a Nigerian passport holder;
The applicant principally resides in Nigeria;
The applicant’s last visa interview resulted in an issuance;
The applicant was issued a two-year B1/B2 United States visa;
The visa expired no more than two years prior to reissuance;
The applicant was at least 14 years old at the time of the last issuance or will be under the age of 14 at the time of reissuance; and
The applicant has never been arrested nor had an encounter with law enforcement, customs, or immigration officials in the United States.

It is the highlighted part I did not understand which made me think I would be eligible. I will start speaking to doctors as you have advised and will keep the house posted. Thanks again.

Hello House,

Please I need some advice from you.

I would like to have my baby in the US though I am due to deliver in January 2015 I would like to start laying the ground work now.
I have been issued a B1/B2 US visa before which expired in February 2013 (I used it 2wice) but my husband has never applied for a US visa before and we would like to go together. Please I want to know if:

1. I can apply for a new visa through the drop-box program and if this may affect me at POE since I will not have the opportunity to explain at interview that I am going to give birth

2. How and when my husband should apply

I will really appreciate your responses. Thank you very much.