fatima04:
Hello house,
Thanks to everyone who contributes positively to this forum, it makes the whole missionary journey less stressful and arms one with current and up to date information. Now to the famous giving back.
Missionary journey ended March 31 officially, had an existing valid visa prior to pregnancy. After extensive research on POE and flight cost I settled for Ethiopian airlines and booked my ticket 3months before travel date. As much as Ethiopian airline has great on board experience, one will be frustrated with their level of disorganisation from Nigeria, but they do have great IFE, Bassinet for baby, 4 course meal (prepare for some tomato and pepperless food), short flight duration.
My Nigerian flight was cancelled due to bad weather after being called for boarding and had to miss my previously booked flight on united airline and its not refundable since am missing the originating outbound flight from New jersey (the thing pain me oo )
New Jersey POE was great,long queue but quite fast
CBP: Hello
Me; Hi
CBP: Why are you here
Me: Childbirth and vacation
CBP: What do you do back home
ME: Quantity surveyor (had to use cost engineer to explain)
CBP: Oh! I was once in the construction industry, but not anymore due to bad economy
Me: True, Nigerian economy too is getting affected
CBP: how long will you be here for?
Me: 12 weeks and he stamped me for 6months
My final destination was Odessa texas (8hrs drive from houston) and great town I must say. Had my first appointment with DR G and I was presented with a bill of 2200 (1500 for delivery and 700 for 1st office visit,scan and all test required)
Hospital used was ORMC, they have an agreement already drafted out for self/cash paying patient,
Hospital bills for 2 days/ 1night delivery (this covers mother ,baby/babies)
VD- 2500
Epidural - 425
CS- 4425 (epidural is compulsory)
Additional stay is 1000dollars
circumcision is 800 (doctor charges 200 for the procedure as well)
US passport - 165dollars
Passport photograph - 7.74 dollars (2 copies at walmart)
ETC - 385 dollars (P.S- I presented this to travel at the US airport and wasn't asked any question afterwards)
Birth certificate- 23 dollars
babys one way ticket -76 dollars (after spending hours on phone with different samuels in Ethiopia, who told me their system doesnt accept Nigeria cards be it Naira or dollar denominated)
lesson learnt;
1. PRAY!PRAY!!PRAY!!! pregnancy isnt easy and the stress of birthing in another country faraway from home increases the stress and uncertainty.
2. start your processing early to gather all info and document
3. book your ticket,accommodation (if necessary) early to reduce stress of finances and you focus on the journey itself
4. book your local flight when you are in the plane leaving for USA or have someone do it for you (southwest comes highly recommended)
5. Having any family member for assistance will be highly helpful if traveling alone
6. Dont debate PKU test, it is compulsory in the state of texas (na fear of dollar)
7. RESEARCH, READ, RESEARCH, READ in that order over and over again.
8. Always ask questions to be sure of the deal you are getting
9. Start your babys passport application early, to avoid unecessary delay and if you dont have SSN ensure to sign a declaration form with your application. Please,I sent an email to the hospital and they sent m the bills,same one you wrote here,please doing your stay in Odessa did you stay in an hotel or you rented an apartment? Please I need information on this because I would also like to use the hospital but I don't know anybody there and I don't want to be stranded. Thanks so much for the information,kisses. |
Travel › Re: Give Birth In USA: Cost And Procedures Part 5 by kifayah07: 9:24pm On Jun 26, 2017
