@tecnic09 Who will be acting as your sponsor? Yourself or your hubby? If it is your hubby then you will need his statement of accounts, proof of employment/source of income etc. I don't think it's such a problem that your business is not yet registered, you can simply explain to the VO if asked what you do that you do small scale buying and selling and that your hubby is the main sponsor.

But if you will be sponsoring yourself then yes, you will need to show proof of income, be able to account for the funds in your account, prove that you have enough to sufficiently cover the birthing project, prove you have strong ties here in Naija etc etc

my hubby has been to US but the major problem is we don't av thesame name on our passport..
I'm assuming this means your passport still carries your maiden name? This is not a problem at all as discussed on this forum several times, as long as you have your marriage certificate. I guess you can also carry your affidavit for change of name, and newspaper page showing your marriage announcement. Hope this helps.

I seriously need help towards the application
Please don't be soo worried / anxious, the application is not as hard as you think at all and it's something you can do by yourself - as @Tvegas said you don't need an agent. Any other questions you have I'm sure the house will be happy to help out in any way.

Yaayy she's staying with us

MerryMom: @Tvegas & @Genomi. I dey here o, I no go anywhere o. Where I wan go before? Them no allow me comot for my village gate, LOL.

Happy Sallah to everyone. Here's to a lovely weekend of pampering and stretching out on the sofa without thinking of work or anything else .

Take time to bond with family and friends too. Love to everyone

Good morning people, happy sallah in advance

Glad to see we've all calmed down, hee heee

@Merrymom you've kuku not answered my last few posts to you but in the spirit of NL luv, please answer @Tvegas and leave your Ghana must go inside the room. Thanks

Madam Nightnigeria1, please you have caused a lot of confusion. If indeed this is what you meant , then explain the following:

1. Why did you delete ALL your earlier posts and DISAPPEAR off the thread when you got called out?
2. You said 'If My visa is approved Im sticking to El Paso' - how can that possibly mean upon entry? You will stick to El Paso upon entry? But won't you already physically BE at El Paso airport before you even talk of scaling through POE?? Or what do you mean? If you get to El Paso and you don't get through POE, you will change your mind to use another hospital in another state?? Hmmmm

This doesn't seem to add up at all Please clarify if indeed you made a mistake.

Nightnigeria1:


My husband just corrected me, we are approved and meant upon entry. My sorry for confusion.

neither can I, seems like the posts are now "lost"...smh

damsell: Is it just me or has he/she taken off all his/her posts? I mean the Nightnigeria1, Cant seem to find any o. na wa o

O ga ju!!!

Phema:

Yea yea. Some people are blessed like that

Ah ahn, infact I just went back and read all the posters 7 posts, and all have been some form of subtle marketing for Doctores. These are the things that make people like @justwise ANGRY!!!

Tvegas: Just leave them, you guys should keep at it. If things continue this way, i will find a way to petition the US EMBASSY about your desperation.

JESUS IS LORD!!!!

Ah ahn, first Tvegas THANKS for noticing this slip, because I for example had read the first post about the supposed visa approval but didn't even link it to this 2nd post.

NA WA O!! Which kain thing be this? Why can't they just leave people to make their own decisions instead of LYING!!??

@Tvegas This your oga at the top line got me cracking up seriously...

@prettymum To be honest I really don't know what to say, but either ways, in my opinion, you definitely have to inform the American Embassy before you travel otherwise anything can happen at the POE like @Tvegas has pointed out. Its always best to be honest and upfront with these people to avoid any drama.

All the others @Tvegas has pointed out and any other mama that has been in a similar situation please help out o...

@Nita A big congrats on the arrival of your bundle of joy and your great labour experience, soo encouraging. I pray it is the same for the rest of us expectant mamas in Jesus Name

Hi @prettymum, were you already pregnant at the time you went for the interview? I think you need to inform the American embassy (maybe send them an e-mail?) informing them of your plan to go and give birth in the US to avoid any POE wahala.

Gurus in the house, what do you think?

Hi @JustDiapers, yes I got your email message yesterday and I replied but I am yet to receive a response from you, maybe you can check your junk folder? I have even sent you another one this morning.

Now I clearly understand what you are saying about the epidural, you are saying the $500 (or $1200) is the anesthesiologists fee and does not include the actual medication that is administered right? And there is a risk of that being a hidden cost. Ok again I will have to clarify this when I call, but let's also hope mamas in the house who have used Gwinnett can shed more light.

Hi @JustDiapersMy friend did not differentiate between the medication and anesthesiologist o, she simply said she paid $500 for her epidural so I don't believe the fees are separate but I will ask her again. @mimibe please can you also clarify this for us?

Regarding the $3,600, like I said it is the [b]hospital bill only that is in the range of $2,400 to $3,600 after the 40% discount [/b]is applied if you pay within the first 30days. So this certainly does not include the epidural fees at all.

ah ahn but midwife too na work na, so they will also get paid but don't worry, I will clarify all these questions when I call them tomorrow and give you feedback. Thanks for bringing up these key points o, because one does need to consider them

JustDiapers:

Hi Genomi,
I was talking about the epidural medication not the anesthesiologist fee. For people planning to use the epidural,it may not be a $3,600 max.You can confirm this information from the hospital or the anesthesiologist's office. the $500 is a fee for the anesthesiologist alone.It doesn't cover the medication.
I don't want to tamper with your faith but are you aware that if you pay the $500 and you don't use the epidural,you get refunded the full amount? Labour pain no be here ooh...
To also cut costs,one can skip circumcision and come and do it in lagos. No be all of them too sabi anyway.Some people have had to come back to re-do their circumcision in Naija
Did your sister have her baby in the UK or US?if it's UK,it was free naa. If one is paying all these thousands of dollars, the least one should expect is an OBGYN for the delivery proper.
Please when you call the doctor's office,also ask them if one sees Doctors during antenatal or only midwives?Thanks for all the information

Hi @JustDiapers, let me try and explain:

1. please can you find out from your doctors how much circumcision is?
I had planned to use Dr. Soyoola - he charges $250 for circumcision. I may not use him any more though I'm not sure, I am exploring the Gwinnett OBGYN option which is much cheaper at $1800 (Dr. Soyoola said $2,475 after I negotiated)

2. please can you find out from gwinnett OBGYN group how much circumcision is ?
Unfortunately I just checked my notebook and noticed I didn't write the cost. I just tried calling them now but the office is closed, I will try again tomorrow but if I'm correct, I think she mentioned $150 or $180

3. Have you added epidural to this bill as well?
No, the bill stated does not cover epidural. In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that my friend who gave birth at Gwinnett paid $500 for Epidural, a separate cost, but warned that it will cost $1,200 if you don't pre-book and only decide to use it when you are already in labour. I personally do not plan to use epidural.

4. Also,i like your faith calculating with $2,400
well faith is a good thing and all things being equal I will pay no more than that (note that this is for hospital bill only). But indeed I will take your advice and budget the upper limit i.e. $3,600 just to be on the safe side

5. Also are you aware that gwinnett OBGYN sends midwifes for deliveries and the doctor on call only comes if u have a tear and they need to sow?This can go both ways..delivery without the need for a doctor or delivery that leads to a 4th degree tear because of the absence of a doctor.....
Chei, I was not aware of this to be honest. I will confirm this when I call them tomorrow. But that doesn't really worry me so much, as long as I can be assured that the midwife is very experienced. My sister in the UK was telling me that was exactly the case when she gave birth there - the OBGYN is never present, just the midwife, unless there is a complication. I have also been reading Supernatural childbirth by Jackie Mize and got a lot of encouragement from that book, it is well

[quote author=JustDiapers][/quote]

@jennykadry Na true na, MIHS unleash one kain confusion on this thread, d matter come require analysis with literary and debating skills

jennykadry:
I haven't laughed this hard. This poster cracked me up with his convince and not confuse line

Yayyy congrats @mimibe, may God bless your bundle of joy.

mimibe: Hello all, I delivered my baby boy last week Tuesday in Gwinnett by dr Oduro, the nurses were fanstatic. The financial lady said I will receive the bill in 8-10 business days, I'm yet to receive my bill. I ve received birth certificate which I processed thru vital records and it was sent to my apartment in 24 hrs. I'm still trying to get how to go about the passport issuance.

@Ayosmum @ MIHS shock affecting ears - the mata serious!

I haven't called Dr Oduro's office because he's not really on my list anymore as an option, all my contact has been with Dr. Soyoola and he did not mention anything about hearing test, neither did my friend who used him. His breakdown was as follows:

Labs ($700.00), 1 Ultrasound ($125.00), Prenatal office visits ($750.00), Vaginal Delivery ($1,100.00) = $2,675
He agreed to come down to $2,475 after negotiation.

As for the epidural, it did not say in the letter he sent to me with his cost breakdown, but my friend paid $500 which was because she booked it in advance. If you decide to use it on the day you give birth during labour, she said its $1,200. I think you have to contact the hospital itself about epidural though Im not 100% sure, I'll ask my friend.

Ayosmum: @GenoMi, from the appointment booking I got from Dr Oduro's office now, there is an extra charge of 700-1000 dollars if you are using epidural. Also, when I called the hospital was told that if the baby is healthy, I should budget 1500 for hearing test. Please can you help confirm from your friend, abi na MIHS shock still dey affect my ears.

Hi @Shawbabe, check your e-mail, I have sent you the details.

Shawbabe:

Hi Geno,

Pls could you fwd me her details for ATL to indecentone@gmail.com? Thanks so much

@ maka yyyy?? You got me CRACKING up!!!

Freshface: Chei! My enemies shall not get me! MIHS Maka yyyy? I don buy dat kind expensive ticket finish only to hear dat d hosp fee dat is supposed to be consolation no worth am? Habatically! Jesus please fix this! I'm paying 2888 with 250 rebate (#in Phema's voice)! I believe! I'll keep saying it, won't stop saying it!

No this accommodation I got in Atlanta. The hospital I plan to use is Gwinnett Medical Centre.

folusho2001: cycle

Pls location pls? is ds houston? and wats d name of d facility pls

Oh ok kool. Yes both Oduro and Soyoola are on Gwinnett website but they have their separate practices and just use Gwinnett is what I mean. Soyoola's practice is called Olan Comprehensive Women's Healthcare and Oduro's is called North Metro Womens Healthcare[/b].

Checkout the group of Gwinnetts Physicians group obgyn's out here: http://physicians.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/Results?index=1&practices=100

Jaejae:

I settled for gwinnett oh! Though I was initially turn btw it and emory midtown as emory is closer to where I am at, and as for dr Oduro office they will say you have to pay on/b4 one is 37weeks. I didn't call dr soyoola @ all but I called some other doctors' with gwinnett also and Oduro was like the cheapest for me at the time. Both soyoola and Oduro are attached to Gwinnett also sha oh! Cos I looked them up on the hosp website- that's another way you can know a doc's and get their contact details or you call the hospital directly and they would help out with those closet to your zip code.

@twizzie na d thing wey MIHS do NL mama's cause lit and debate o

twizzie: LMAO!! All these Lits and debate shildren!! We are convinced o that there are other options..this is no badt at all..
Meanwhile, Me I am an optimist.. I am holding on to the ray of what someone said that the old price still stands for those with appointment till December.. I might still go there sha based on their review of VBAC as well.. Hopefully, them go reward those who kept to their appointment..
Phema, don't mind the El paso clans o, all these threats you people are sharing, there is God o!! If not, na NJ i go stay jeje!!
Bro oawale, how is the fam? Kindly help us embark on a charitable journey to MIHS to confirm if the old price stays the same for those with appt..
Taink u (in mama pepe's voice)I promise, I will bring garri Ijebu for u when I am coming

Aww @Babymama123, don't give up like @Phema said, let's keep looking and hope someone will find something that will work with your budget

Babymama123: Whoa!!! i feel like crying MIHS don do me strong thing, i was working on a tight budget was thinking @ worse $3,500 not dat whopping addition. i almost booked for my flight yesterday. God dey have got just about 3weeks left to hustle, am am sad, i hope things work out for me, if not na to decide naija things ooh, and hope for a safe delivery. wish everyone well.

Exactly, not soo bad. Though I haven't booked yet, ticket to Atlanta via United for the period I intend to travel is currently N231,000

Phema:

That's about $3,200 + $5,500 (total hosp bill) = $8,800. Not bad. . . Flights to Atl aint so pricey.

Ok sorry, how could I have forgotten

I got accommodation for a total of $1,600 per month including feeding and transportation for hospital visits and shopping - it's a Nigerian lady that offers this as a service to preggy's, she is the one my friend used earlier this year.

Phema: ^^^Not bad. What about accommodation?

Wow @Jaejae, thanks very much for all the info o, you have done a lot of work there. Have you decided which hospital you will be using?

I spoke to Dr. Soyoola recently and he said the best he could from his original quote of $2,675 was to come down to $2,475 , $200 pere!
And he also said I need to do a deposit of $1,500 (and I should include $200 to cover bank charges if transferring from outside the US).

But someone else on this thread advised me to look into using one of the obgyn's attached to Gwinnett itself as the price is a lot cheaper at $1,800 and I have spoken to them but have been asked to fax over some documents. I will keep everyone posted.

Cheiii @ MIHS mamas, I sympathise with you , but don't worry God dey. For those looking for other options apart from the Border Town (I hail una border people oo), why not look into Gwinnett (in Atlanta) also? This is a summary of the costs I have so far:

1. Hospital Fees: $2,400 - $3,600 after discount if you pay within 30 days (40% discount)

2. Dr Fees: Dr Oduro- $2,100
Dr Soyoola - $2,475 (this was after I used all my power to price from $2,675 )
Gwinnett group of OBGYN's - $1,800

I called last week. They asked me to fax over my medical records which I am yet to do and I will keep the house posted once I do.

All in all, you can use Gwinnett for an uncomplicated delivery for approximately $4,200 - $4,875 depending on the obgyn used.
My friend who delivered there says to budget less than $500 for paediatrician and about $250 max for circumcision.

With these few points of mine, I hope I have been able to convince you and not confuse you that we have other options too

@rockchic I can't find the Lagos response in my mailbox any longer, hope I haven't deleted it by mistake o

This is the reply I got from Abuja:

Dear xyz,

Thank you for your inquiry. Before you travel to the United States to have a child you should make the appropriate preparations, including an appointment with a healthcare provider, detailed information about where you will receive your medical services, and an estimate of the financial costs. Immigration officials may ask for this information upon your arrival. Healthcare in the United States is expensive, including costs associated with child birth, and can escalate quickly if there are complications. You are expected to pay all costs associated with the medical services received. Retain an itemized statement of account from your healthcare provider that outlines all of the charges from your care and receipt of your payment.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Congratulations to you and your family.

Best Regards,

Consular Section

rockchic: @Genomy and @ MAlory, please what is the standard response? sorry for asking pls

Hi @rockchic, I also renewed via drop-box, and what I did was to send Lagos and Abuja embassy e-mails stating that I intend to use the visa for childbirth. I got the standard replies from both of them. All the best.

@sessibasi Ok then. Thanks very much again for sharing

sessibasi:

Yes I flew out of the US wen he was 3weeks old. Left arizona at 2weeks old

@sessibasi Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience, very enlightening. Please if I understood correctly, you flew out of the US when your son was about 3weeks old? Trying to plan the return leg of my journey based on my EDD.

sessibasi: Hi all. I finally registered back after d wipeout. Am back in lagos with my handsome baby boy..

As in ehn, I suddenly wish I was a civil servant in Lagos state, LOL , they get 6 months now.

raii:

Why can't maternity leave be 6months sef. I plan yo go at 35 weeks either to Phoenix or Houston. Men, Dserious this ur POE experience was grande.