₦airaland Forum

Zaynie
Here..

MamaOO:
Please please please. I implore all mothers here to insist on a jaundice test for our babies before leaving the hospital to avoid stories that touch. I wanted to share my experience with neonatal jaundice after Liftedhands mentioned her niece's case, but I decided to wait till all of it has passed so that I don't jinx myself....Lol, I know I know, I'm African like that.

Mamas, please, let us always insist on the hospital we birth type baby's blood after birth, compare it to mothers own and then carry out a jaundice test before we get discharged from the hospital. Here is my experience, It was only God that saved us. And thankfully now, everything is behind us. After baby E.J's birth, he was sleepy and lethargic and would not eat. I noticed his eyes were a bit yellow but wasn't too worried. The next day, the yellow was very pronounced and I mentioned it to my mother in law. His pediatrician came and ordered bloodwork and there it was discovered that his bilirubin level was 17!!! Jeez!

Immediately the staff swung into action. He was wheeled into the NICU. 7 bilirubin lights were placed on him and also a bili blanket was placed underneath him. His cord was completely cut off and tubes put in. When I asked why, they said it was because he might need an exchange blood transfusion and they needed to be ready. That was when they told me he would need to be transferred to Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, cos they can't handle the transfusion at the hospital where he was born oo. I nearly cried blood. My baby was sick and I can't do nothing. The doctor called the other hospital and in 50 minutes they were here, they flew in with an air ambulance. My child had to be airlifted the children's hospital. We drove after them and went to meet them there

Give it to American hospitals, before we got to the hospital, treatment was already ongoing. He was placed on bilirubin lights and a bilirubin blanket and had already received a dose of IVIg. They also inserted a feeding tube in his nose. That sight is something I'll never forget. This is my child, barely 24 hours old and already going through this. They were testing his bilirubin levels every 4 hours. And by the next day, his level had reduced to 14 or 15. It continued decreasing everyday and gradually they began to remove the lights until they removed it all. He started eating and became more and more awake and alert and playful. He even removed the feeding tube in his nose three times. Thank God!

We spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital and I do not wish that experience on my enemy. It was especially tough cos I had to leave my newborn in the NICU while I go to my hotel room to sleep, I so much wanted to hold him and bond with him but I couldn't. So mothers, please always insist on a bilirubin test for your newborns. I also got to know what caused him to have so much bilirubin in him. It was because of something called ABO incompatibility. You see, I'm blood group O+ and hubby is B+. E.J got his Dad's B+ and while he was inside of me, his blood crossed through into my bloodstream. Anybody with blood type O+ or O- reacts in a certain way when other blood types are introduced into their bloodstream. They begin to develop antibodies to attack the presumed foreign blood group which in this scenario was my baby's blood. So while he was in-vitro, he was fine. The moment he was born, my antibodies in him started breaking down his red blood cells which caused his severe jaundice. And because his liver was so young, it could not keep up with filtering out the bilirubin.

Thank God he was diagnosed and treated fast and in a timely and aggressive manner. He received tons of phototherapy and 3 doses of IVIg. God bless America Mehn, cos I am pretty sure the story would have been different if this was Nigeria.

Z

Z

spiceeamiee:
Continuous breastfeeding. Unripe pawpaw soaked in water. Drops should be given to the baby and the mother should drink a cup of it at regular intervals so that baby can take from her. This is what i did when my baby's level was 10 although that is not considered high. Please insist they check the baby's bilirubin levels everyday. Learnt from a doctor in Outreach hospital that it's necessary as some bilirubin don't respond adequately to the blue light (I no remember the medical name) and that most times before the doctors realise, it may have affected the child's brain. A bilirubin level that has fallen to 7 is considered normal.

Don't know about jaundice being caused by infection but I was told that non tratement/inadequate treatment of malaria in pregnancy can cause it. Also, all babies are born with a high level of bilirubin as it takes about 10 to 14days for their liver to catch up with filtering it.

Nope. A baby with bilirubin levels as high as that cannot be treated with methods you just said ooo. At this point it’s very dangerous and can affect the brain (making it yellow) the best bet is to let the hospital treat it.

And no. It’s not always caused by malaria. We don’t have malaria where I live and my baby’s bilirubin level was almost 18 as at day 2 of his life.

zaynie:
Please mamas.
Who has experience with a baby with jaundice.
Our newborn has it, to think I saw it 2 days ago but since both parents don't have clear white eyes, I felt it was inherited not till yesterday when the corners of the cornea was way darker than the rest. His gums also turned yellow this morning. We took him to the hospital early this morning and have done test (he measured 17) and now he is on admission.
I feel so terrible that I waited this long.

How long do babies with jaundice have to stay in the hospital?
Is jaundice a result of infection? cos that's what the doctor told them (she didn't allow me in). I don't believe so cos this baby is just 5 days old and only a handful of people have carried him. Pikin wey just dey sleep dey go.



Babies and their wahala


Cc: All mamas

You’ve taken the right step by taking him to the hospital. Mine also had severe jaundice like that. We stayed in the hospital for three weeks. But eventually it will clear up. And no, it’s not due to infection. At least mine wasn’t. It was due to ABO incompatibility. I’m O+, hubby is B+ and baby is B+ too. Blood crossed from placenta to him when he was in-vitro but my liver was doing the filtering for him then. When he was born, his Liver was too tender to take over and the bilirubin built up. Hence the jaundice.

Let me look for my post on the issue and I’ll tag you.

constance234:
Sorry about the denial, good you are taking it lightly and not stressing over it. About your young friend, her intention to study at a community college does not matter.What matters is being very clear and detailed about the intent, and satistying financial requirements as a student. People come here for 2-8 months music production courses, video directing, etc.

It matters. VOs hardly give visas for community colleges. Go check the student visa thread. Some lenient VOs will even hint the applicant as per why not apply to a uni instead of a junior college.

That’s not to say people with community college admissions don’t get visas. But it’s 5-10 percent of them.

.

stilldoingokay:
let say the truth 7months old baby is really too young for creche, because the mother is super busy,


what happened to Nanny's if she is so busy,

Because everybody has the means to employ a nanny! The way some of you reason... I don’t just know.

My baby started daycare at 7 weeks! 7 weeks! Bite me. I live in the US, I cannot employ a nanny cos the wages are literally more than what you who works 7-4pm earn. My mom Is dead and my MIL had to return to Nigeria urgently. I changed jobs while I was pregnant so I was entitled to only 6 weeks maternity leave.

What would people like you have suggested we do? Resign abi? Well, there are still women who don’t like to be handed money here and there by their husband and love to contribute to home expenses. Nonsense and ingredients

iykmon:
You can use your existing VISA for giving birth, so far you have the money and you have correspondence with a doctor In the US. You just have to be confident during the interview at the point of entry.
Applying for a new VÏSA will automatically cancel the existing one you have.
Try and read previous trends you will see people that have use their VÏSA other than the reason for previous visit.
All these people want to see is that you return back home and pay your bills and have your receipt. Your job back home matters to the VO. Just the truth is what they want to hear.

Haaaa!!!!!

Curiiuz77:
for the doctors bill...for mother and pediatrician bill for baby after delivery

When was the Medicaid taken (what year)? Have you been back to the US since then? And are you pregnant again?

Naomi14:
Please mamas I didn't know there are ones for sitter and supported sitter until I got home and noticed the top right of the can says sitter and supported sitter but my baby is a sitter. She sits without support. My question is, can I give her the one for supported sitter?

Cc: enque, hunniesuzie, akorkor, mamas that sabi the thing.

Yes. She can eat the supported sitter. If it was the other way round (supported sitter eating sitter cereal), then it’s not advisabke because her digestive system is not mature enough to eat sitter cereal. My son is a toddler and I still give him the Gerber supported sitter and sitter cereal I have at home. He takes it with no issues at all.

enque:
3 fa!!!
Thanks ma

I got them from my baby shower. Lol

enque:
Evening All,

Giddyperson happy belated birthday....
Zaynie, happy birthday to atinuke, shes so cute.

I have a question...

Is a High feeding chair a luxury or necessity? I feel like I should get one now that my Dd is almost one. So she can use it for mealtimes and for TV times (the TV is hung up and she has to stand in her playpen to watch for now)

Alphahandmaiden
All mamas

Sansa143 sorry I was so busy today, cldnt respond to ur question early enough. Hope u r gud now?

For me and my situation, its a necessity. My son has started feeding himself finger foods and also trying to use a spoon, so putting him in a high chair curbs all the mess associated with that. I put snacks and finger foods on the tray of his highchair and he sits there peacefully feeding himself and watching TV.

When I'm cooking, and don't want him afoot, I put him in his chair and he can watch me cook and also watch TV at the same time. I even use the highchair to "arrest him" atimes because that's the only place he would sit without fussing or running around. Infact, I have three sef, I have the standalone Graco and the Fischer Price you strap to a dinning chair and the Bumbo seat(I used this when he was smaller). They all served me beautifully

beautyuche:
Oh dear lucky u guys that enjoyed it....I started reading this thread before I got married.Now pregnant I say make I also consider the hospital now see d result.
On to d next one. I read on this thread that mark zukerberge hospital in san francisco offer similar bill (4000 inclusive of doc, hospital pediatric, epidural etc) but accommodation might be difficult.

Oya mama and papa lets start our research and dont fail to share info

Thanks

It’s the accommodation and cost of living in the SF Bay Area that will make you run

13ShadesOfMay:
Who told u this is hawking?
it ain't bro.
Its just someone on an official assignment to give drinks to motorists. Americans do this often.
Sometimes, it may be a team of policemen giving out ice-cream to motorists on the highway....lemme say it's more of a surprise gifts.

Quit lying. Where in America do cops give out ice cream on the highway?

AlphaHandMaiden:
What are you women sharing and pm(ing)at this time of the day?!

Some of us are still awake oh! Zaynie please pm me too! Lol!

Kai! see what sleeplessness can cause.!

I am going to go and count imaginary ceiling board... if i count sheep, i will use them to make asun in my dream!

G'night peeps!

Lmao. We are sharing money. Wait for your PM.

zaynie:
MamaOO, I see you o.
Should I send a pm?

Yes sis.

ThatIgalaChic:
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuhu,
Good day maam
Am so sorry to mention you on this thread,
pls I will like you to send me your email here, I need to send you a message..
Its your sis in the deen all the way from newborn tread..
thanks

cc,
MamaOO

I just replied your email.

heroinqc
Sent you a PM. Please reply ma'am. Thanks

zaynie:
I guess some are online.
I wish I could just do a voice note.
So I'm putting this here cos I'd really love for us to work together on this.


I was thinking we could do a sort of yard sales on a regular basis. Like monthly.....
I know if we searched our houses we'll definitely have some items we don't really use lying around. Sometimes it might even be old wedding gifts that we have more than one and guess what someone might actually need it so much more.
Why don't we sell it for a token or even give it out for free.
We upload pictures and put a token as the price or state it's for free and anyone interested can make enquiries.
You get to decongest your house too.
Those wedding gifts you don't like.
Those clothes your LO was given but you know he's never wearing, someone's child has nothing to wear.... Don't let it sit in your cupboard and gather dust please
Some of your clothes that you've outgrown, that you wore when you were Sisi, it's somebody's perfect fit.
Those shoes with a little scratch or just a bir too tight or loose, I bet it will make someone's day.

Our sisters abroad can join too, maybe one day you will help us gather used clothes from over there and send the bale down to us.



Now let's not abuse this, you CANNOT beg.
You cannot harass people with pm. If you do this you would be called out and blacklisted.
You can state what you need for a token not free.
Let whosoever wants to give things out for free do so willingly and then you show interest.
We'll sort out the whole knots when we come to an agreement.
What do you think?

Let's be our sister's keepers please

Ma Sha Allah. God bless you so much for this.

I have tons of baby boy clothes (Gymboree, Carters, Gap, Old Navy and all sorts), my own clothes, shoes and all that stuff just sitting in boxes in my garage. I was thinking about donating to goodwill before now, but if it's gonna help a mom in need here? Why not? Problem is... how do I get them to Nigeria? If we can get that figured out, then we Gucci. I can even volunteer to pick up free clothing an items here and send home. People give them away a lot.

Senatornuella:
If knew u did not tell the truth to get your visa and they catch y

Please dont act so holy. That you are opportuned to know that birth tourism in the US is legal and you can boldly state it at your interview as long as you prove you can pay your bills is not grounds to act so holy. I for one when I wanted to come have my first child here was advised not to tell I was going to have my child rather I should say I am going for vacation. I was just not comfortable lying. I told myself why should i lie about my intentions and if there is a provision for medical purpose then people get such visas. Don't forget that there is a myth about US visas, that they don't like giving people visas talk more when you state your intentions about having a child. I had people tell me to pray that the person who interviews me isn't a Republican because they don't even want you having your child in their country. I had my first, and second child and not until my third journey that someone introduced me to nairaland. The fact is we know Nigerians are brash but we expect a civil treatment from the so called civilised country we all running to align with. I mean calling someone a liar, and other defamatory names is wrong no matter the offence. After all, it is in America you will see a criminal being treated with caution. We are Nigerians nah and so we can be treated with disdain and no one will speak for us. Government will treat us badly, then we can not come and get some empathy from nairaland family. Pleeeeeaaase!

I understand where both of you are coming from and there's iota of truth both submissions. But the truth still remains that she lied. I am not saint by any means, I've lied before and will probably still lie in the future, but the thing is... situations like that (lying to Visa Officers) doesn't usually have a good outcome. And to what end sef?

We talk about Nigerians being treated with disdain and caution at POEs and while we huff and puff, we know deep down inside of us that we brought it on ourselves. A co-worker was chatting nonsense about Nigeria the other day, about how everybody was corrupt and scammers. And while I wanted to sucker-punch him, can I blame him? Thats the image we have portrayed about ourselves.

The original OP mentioned that she found out about NL after lying to get her visa, why did she not make research about the Visa before she even went to the embassy? Maybe I am the only one oo. But I seek information like no other. Before I embark on anything, I google and research the hell out of that thing so I am not caught unawares. Take for instance last night, I was researching about elementary and Middle Schools for my son. We have a school we are assigned to but I found out that there's another school rated 9/10 (our district school is 7/10). I searched and searched found out that kids are accepted based on lottery, the lottery time frames and all that. Mind you, the kid I'm doing this for is a 13month old. Kindergarten or Pre-K doesn't even start until 5years old.

CBP is not legally obligated to be polite. It depends on the person, they are doing their jobs within the jurisdiction of the law, haven't you heard that black lives don't matter in the US? You're a white criminal, you get burger king and milkshakes. You are a black criminal, you get beat down, your face plastered on the cement. That's if you're lucky you're not shot. And yeah, she got through CBP, I hope she gets through renewal too.

aremso:
in Nigeria are we getting things for free? in Nigeria do they value life? its a free world if u feel like not holding American passport so be it. Nigeria is in a state of stagnation where nothing works and wt diverse problem we are to cope wt so its a free world

What do we get for free in America?

drI:
MamaOO..,

Thanks again for this detailed info. Pls my friend is right in your shoes. she is here for birth tourism and was delivered sometimes last week. baby was manage in NICU for about 4 days and bills started accumulating.

She went for the pediatricians visit this week and had to be moved as an emergency to another childrens hospital. appatently her child has life threatening jaundice. She is so confused amd devastated. I spoke to her now and she says that people advised that shegets Medicare for the child being a US citizen and that if she can prove that she paid all her own bills it will suffice for renewal of her VISA. Based on this write up I advised her against it. but yet again how on earth can she pay the bills?

so just in case she chooses to get Medicare what is the process?
If she chooses not to get Medicare can she be given significant discount since she is self pay.
Should she wait until she gets the bills first before applying for the Medicare just to know what she is dealing with first.

Poor girl. just wanted to have an American child. didn't bargain for this.

So sorry about her predicament. This kind of situation is not what I would wish on my enemy.

That said, I wasn't here on birth tourism when I had my child. I actually lived and still live in the US. And note where I said that the insurance (mine and my husband) had to pay back the money Medicaid paid the doctors, hospital and for medication. If my insurance had refused the charges (my husband's insurance actually the charges for the air ambulance at first stating that they could have taken my son to San Joaquin Hospital instead of Valley Children's and only paid after the hospital and his pediatrician submitted letters on why they had to take him to VCH), we would have been stuck with the bills and made to pay back every penny.

Now, your friend is on birth tourism, baby has jaundice, probably due to ABO incompatibility (that was what mine had), and is seeking to use Medicaid. That is not fair and very wrong because medicaid was funded through the back of of working, tax paying citizens for other citizens and LPR who cannot afford insurance. The argument of the baby being a USC doesn't hold water. He is a USC but does he earn any money? Pay taxes? Contributed to Medicaid? Do his parents pay taxes? Remember when she got her visa, they asked her if she was financially capable, and she answered in the affirmative. We should always be prepared for cases like this.

Proving she paid her bills and Medicaid paid her son's bill during renewal, im pretty sure is probably gonna anger the VO and earn her a denial. Tell her to talk to the hospital and see if her bills can get discounted and if she can get on a payment plan. Or maybe reach out to charity organizations

Beautyaddy:
That is a very, very rare and unfortunate incident. No need to make the rare event to put unnecessary fear in the hearts of intended US immigrants. With that said I agree he shouldn't abuse the US visiting visa if granted. He/She can try more legal means to immigrate permanently into the US.

Even with all that negative news coverage of all the unfortunate and rare mass killings by randomly undetected sick persons the US visa remains to most sort out immigrant visas compared to other advanced countries.

Very, very rare?! Come again. Mass shooting is defined as a multiple homicide incident in which four or more victims are murdered with firearms, within one event, and in one or more locations in close proximity Since 2010 we have had more than 25 of those with more than 348 dead and and 836 wounded and probably scared for life. Maybe to you that's rare... but to me, it's not. It's a disturbing trend and will probably surge with the utterances and racism of Orange, toupee wearing Idiot we have playing dress up in DC right now

veleta:
This US instate and outstate tuition is something else.The disparity is so huge and the requirements for qualifying for instate tuition is daunting especially for some states like California. Apart from being physically resident and other stuffs.May God help us.

You’re right. I live in California and the instate tuition for the University of Californias (Santa Barbara, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Merced, Irvine etc) is an average of $15K per year without housing and around $25K with housing. The Cal States are cheaper but it’s still an average of 9K minus housing and fees.

Qualifying for instate tuition is another story entirely. Lord help us

Babatwi:
Kpaga! $51,450 For air ambulance alone,Na watin i carry?.Jesus is Lord.

Na day old pikin dem carry oo. Less than 40mins flight. My mailbox was filled with bills when we came home and when I saw that bill ehn, I just laughed, because this one don pass cry. Lol

Christine77:
Hi mama00 but isn't ur son a citizen and therefore entitled to Medicaid? If the bill is in his name would that be a problem? U could have as well registered him for Medicaid right? I'm asking, if any1 in the house can clarify?

Yes. He is a citizen. We his parents are citizens as well. But being a citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. You have to actually be eligible based on income. Medicaid is for low income earners and people living below poverty lines but live and earn money in the US. He is entitled to Medicaid because we (his parents live here), work and we get taxed, but he isn’t qualified based on his parents’ income being over the eligibility threshold and that’s despite the fact that for every monthly paycheck, the government deducts Medicaid taxes from our salary, which between me and my husband is around $800 a month. No jokes.

Being a US citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. Note that I said the bills was eventually sorted out between Medicaid and our insurance companies. We were not qualified for Medicaid based on our income. Medicaid has an income threshold to qualify and once you’re over that threshold, you don’t qualify.

I guess the hospital enrolled him because his case was so critical (he had severe jaundice, that was life threatening) and he even had to be airlifted via an air ambulance to Valley Children’s. The bills were mounting (the bill for the air ambulance itself was $51,450 or so), they needed insurance for him pronto and I wasn’t there. They wouldn’t allow me ride in the air ambulance with him, so while they already airlifted him to Madera, I was still in the hospital trying to sort and sign my discharge papers, talk to social workers, go home and pack cos they told us to expect to be there for at least two weeks, shop for essentials and then drive two hours to Madera from where we live. I didn’t see him until about 10hours later and by the time I did, he had already been admitted, ragged, paperwork filled out and receiving treatment.

When you apply for Medicaid, they ask income based questions don’t they? That’s to know if you qualify. You as a mother, on birth tourism should not answer those income questions cos you don’t make income here neither do you pay taxes.

Let me even chip this in. Once the child grows up and probably wants to attend college here, they have to pay out of state tuition and in most cases, out of state tuition is even as expensive as international tuition. We all know how expensive international tuition is don’t we? You might ask why they have to pay out of state tuition when they’re US citizens?. It’s because they for them to qualify to in-state tuition, you must have been resident in that state for at least two years or more, depending on the state. The kids lived in Nigeria so they’re not resident in any state. Hence, the out of state tuition is needed. They will/might qualify for student loans though, and they will need to start paying that back as soon as they’re out of college.

And yes, the bill was in his name, the Medicaid was in his name as well. But when you fill out your paperwork, they demand for parents name and sometimes social security number. When they run your name, they can see you have insurance and that’s where they contact your insurance, since you’re his parents and you have insurance they expect you to put your child on your insurance and not on government assistance.

zoemummy:
My 2cents on this question is that the application of medicaid (involving tax payers funds) must require some form of 'signed' documentation wherein you'd need to complete and sign a request form. The request will be processed and you accept the financial aid. I reckon it is not something that can be received by the beneficiary 'unknowingly'. I stand to be corrected though.

See screenshots below and note the key words 'application' and 'enrolment'. They are both very conscious activities.

Not always the case. They don’t always tell you, Especially when it concerns infants. My newborn was automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid cos he was in the NICU of Valley children’s Hospital in Madera for 3+ weeks. It was after he got discharged and I was asking for the billing that they told us they enrolled him. Eventually, between Medi-Cal, my insurance and my husband’s insurance, it was sorted out.

jamjam5000:
Stores like target and walmart stock a variety of full cream milk like nature's first, kerrygold and even Nido. Even better, you can try Enfamil toddler milk or similac go and grow.

I'm giving him Nido Kinder right now, got it from Costco. I'll try the fresh milk AlphaHandMaiden suggested today and see how it goes. Thanks a lot!

AlphaHandMaiden:
Thanks so much. I'll try that today when I get home.


Buy the fresh liquid milk, not powdered. It would usually come in full, semi skimmed and skimmed options in the fridge section.

That is your best bet,

Just pour in bottle and pop into a cupof hot water to heat up.

Please oo.
My son just turned one and I stopped breastfeeding when he did. He was already eating table foods before he turned one so it was no trouble weaning him. I started him on Nido Kinder so he can get his milk but I just remembered moms here discussing about how Full Cream Milk is better than Instant Filled Milk.

Trouble is, all the brands noted here (Loya et all) are not sold here. Please does anybody know of any full cream milk I can buy in the US?

tosyne2much:
Let it slide. Just overlook it ma

Thanks a lot. I will.

Novice1:
Too early to join issues with an attention-seeker. Go elsewhere with your trash.

Lol. Ode. Go back to elementary school if you have problems with simple comprehension, dumbass. My first post was crystal clear and I mentioned the noise on the wings not anything related to safety during a crash. You chose to exhibit your stupidity on the World Wide Web by claiming ITK about an issue I didn't even mention. Now you're foaming in the mouth for giving you A taste of your own medicine. Looking who to use shine abi? You never jam!