₦airaland Forum

SWEETMAMA2015:
pls people IS DC good to go for delivery?

do you mean Washington, DC? It is a very small district with only about 3 or 4 hospitals providing maternity services. You can widen your search to include Maryland and Northern Virginia hospitals. If you must stay in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area, be prepared for exhorbitant and unexpected costs.

firsttymum:
I cldnt get the correct link so I just fashed

lol @ "fashed"... sounds like you are a FGG Sagamite

For those who still need baby's documents, if you are nearby a US Passport Center or can travel to one of the three passport cities WITH YOUR BABY (NY, DC, ATL - Nigerian Consulate and US Passport Center in same city) you can walk-in and get both passports within 2-3 days. In addition to the usual documents, you will need baby's itinerary/flight ticket showing baby is traveling within 1-2 weeks. This is an exception, and not the rule - the website and phone agents won't tell you this when you call. The social security card or number is not required for an infant...only the birth certificate is required for passport processing.

But make sure you get your baby's SSN card before leaving. If the card gets into the wrong hands, that can be trouble o. Even some hosts will secretly copy your baby's SSN and use your baby to file taxes to reduce their tax liability and collect more refund from IRS for years without telling you. Beware!

ewa2014:
Called US passport Agency, got an appointment which was about 2weeks away, I dint have the patience plus DH was going back and he wanted all paper work completely done, so we went to the post office and submitted WITHOUT SSN cos it wasn't out yet. (in this case just enter zeros). Once it came in the mail, I called the NY passport Agency and they inputted the SSN, then I told the lady I was traveling soon and all that I din't get an early appointment that's y I opted for the post office blah blah...long story short.... Passport came in after 10days.

After I got it, called them for the BC, was told i would get it within 2 weeks, again I told them I'm leaving soon blah blah, I got it in less than a week.(4days after).

.

Thanks for sharing. Take home points...

1. AGAIN AND AGAIN! NO MATTER HOW CLOSE YOUR HOST IS TO YOU...do your research and follow your heart.
2. Plan for a normal delivery, and ensure sufficient cushion in your budget in case a C-section is required
3. Always have your full burden of proof for POE
4. There are many components to medical expenses for childbirth in the US...it's not just hospital and doctor. If you don't want any surprise bills and need accommodation, you will be better off with currently available all-inclusive packages offered.Your total cost for these all-inclusive packages is most definitely less than you'll spend on medical fees alone if staying with a host in places like Maryland or New York.
5. Ensure your package includes hospital fees, doctor's fees, ultrasounds, lab tests, epidural, anesthesiologist fees, pediatrician fees, baby screening tests and required immunization
5. Be sure to ask if your hospital or doctor offers discount for expenses not covered under the package
6. Costs can vary very widely from one state to the other, and between medical providers in the same state. Do your research
7. If you are planning to stay with family. Have a Plan B for accommodation (hotel, apartment, etc.) in case you get kicked out by your host .
8. If you have a very accommodating host, it will be nice to give them a little monetary gift (btw $500 - $1000). It will help them with the ALMIGHTY bills they are struggling (probably working two jobs) to pay...even if they act like and tell you all is well...they need it, and will appreciate you for it.
9. Include transportation in your budget. Do your research on costs for taxi or public bus from your place of stay to your hospital, doctor, and for shopping. If you have a very nice host who takes you to your appointments, it will be nice to offer to pay for their gas...they will thank you for it
10. If you will be returning to Nigeria within less than 4weeks after your baby's birth, it will be faster and easier to find your way to NewYork, Washington DC, or Atlanta, GA where you can process BOTH the baby's US passport and Nigerian passport and get both within 2-3 days. You will need to include transportation or flight costs for you and your baby to these passport cities.

Hope this helps someone.

Olaideodes:
i got in to Us via New York JFK to Charlotte in June it was not as easy as people say it here oh as I was delayed for almost an hour but they eventually let me in after seeing all my burden of proof.I got a package from the hospital for 5715 normal delivery, 8730 for CS , but doing labour after getting to 7cm baby heart beat was dropping, the doctor just said he can not risk it that they have to remove the baby Omo Na so I start to cry oh ,but within 5mins they remove my little prince,na so them term her as complicated delivery oh and said I was not eligible for the package again.my dear I got a very huge bill from the hospital for 21567 after begging they gave 30% to make it 15062 just for me and epidural 2990 and 50% discount was given, doctor bill 2480 and baby bill 3400 discount of 30% to make it 2404'pediatric is 1640 with 25%discount, pathology 285 for both me and baby,trying to pay all the little bills and do a payment plan for my self.My point is no matter how ur host is close to you don't listen to them follow ur heart if I had known I would have ported to Houston,elpaso,Atlanta or Chicago but I stayed back in Charlotte listening to my host now am paying all the bills myself she no even answer me.I have learnt my lesson I pray God see me through this gbese.
On the passport that's another issues to do expedient it take 2-4 weeks for it to bye ready had to travel to Atlanta to do it after booking appointment though and I got it same day even did nigga passport which was mailed to me,also got his Ssn too,just waiting to buy his ticket and off I live this country.I thank GOd am alive and he his fine too but I cry everyday for this yeye bill.that is my story ooh.

You should begin your visa processing sometime very soon to secure a timely interview date. You must plan to declare your pregnancy and plans to have your baby in the USA. And be prepared to show the necessary documentation such as doctor's letter, etc.

Be wary of staying with friends and family in the US. While they always have the best intentions at heart, the stress and hectic work schedule in the US does not give room to accommodate a pregnant mom for too long. The stress of having to house, feed and drive someone else on top of the usual bills (e.g. mortgage, insurance, utilities, car note) and limited time can cause emotional and financial stress and they may act out on you. Also some of them will wrongly advise you to take Medicaid, and if you declare you can afford to pay they will get jealous, because truth be told most of them don't have and can't save as much.

I know most responses here will tell you to take pen and paper and start reading over 400pages, though. I did that myself and found it very helpful, but time-consuming. You can PM with any questions.

twingirls:
Good am all.

@all, please am new to this thread and on my. 3rd missionary journey, I had my 2 boys in LUTH via CS. My dh and I have decided to have our 3rd in the US, I'm currently 19+ gone and will be due mid Jan. Iv never been to US, though dh has and has a visa dat will expire in April 2017, iv only been to uk and ireland.

Pls, I need advise from zero to finish, I have no close family or relative in us, but have some good friends in Texas, not sure dey can accommodate me for a long time though. I'm still going to read the previous post, but pls do advise as I'm showing already and I hope it's not too late.

MIHS no longer offers their package to non-residents of Arizona. I know a lot was said about MIHS on previous pages, which many found very helpful. Found out another hospital offers similar package in Phoenix...

MumTee:
Thank u mumdearest i appreciate.
1) I have contacted Dr Fagbohun via his email i got on this platform, that's why i asked about the nearest accomodation thing cos i remembered someone mentioning the East side accomodation is a bit far or so. Pardon me if i missed any other details.
2) I also found out about MIHS through this platform and contacted them, but when i didnt get a response that's why i decided to ask fellow mum's here.
3) I asked about Colorado cos i have someone there which i might consider if i find something reasonable which i didnt, that prompted my asking on this platform.
I understand how annoying it could be if one ask questions already answered that's why i took my time and thought carefully before asking the few i did. That notwithstanding, lets be polite to each other in our responses; no offence meant to anyone, u never can tell i could become your next door neighbour in no-man's-land. I apologise if any of my questions angered anyone on this platform.