₦airaland Forum

ozycy:
I bot eventflo breathable carrier for abt $19.99 and it served me very well both in all my after birth waka, airport waka and here in Naija. Just read reviews online and pick one.

Thanks @ozycy

Hello Mums, i remember someone mentioned getting thé infantino baby carrier to use to carry baby especially mums doing connecting flights. I observed there are many types of this infantino carrier on Wal-Mart, Pls which one is highly recommended to do d job wella. Mums who Have used It, Pls help out.

LI:
Thanks MumTee.

BA gave us wahala o but we won sha at the end of the day. We booked our original tickets online via Wakanow. In fact the whole thing was kinda shady. We thought we booked using GT Bank Online Self Service, next thing we started getting emails and calls from Wakanow, so it wasn't intentionally that we got stuck with them.

Anyway, Wakanow and BA started passing the responsibility of who to add infant tickets to each other. After a few attempts, we got connected to a BA call center agent who was willing to help but the process was rather weird. What they did was make a separate booking for the infant and link that infant ticket to the existing one for DW. We were asked to call back after 48hours for the cost but this wasn't ready until the 4th day and even though they told us we could only pay $312.17 at the airport, quote we got upon reaching the airport was 345.17. Of course there was no option but to pay. It's safe to say the low point of our journey was the BA experience.

After paying, DW still didn't get a bassinet seat, thank God for the pleasant crew member who hooked her up with a row with one other empty seat.

Baby was entitled to a 23kg check-in luggage and a carry-on bag.

Finally, if you're paying for your infant ticket at the airport, hold extra cash o as you are almost guaranteed to pay more than was originally communicated.

Wao! @LI na God Win o!
What type of infant ticket was that, one way or two way. The BA call center you called, is it their Naija call center or their US call center? I rem some people mentioned its better you call Naija office than US office.

ozycy:
Even though ETC seems cheaper (depending) , I still went for Naija visa, I felt comfortable doing d visa rather dan the ETC. For me the difference was $52 including postal fee.

@Ozycy, did u apply for the visa directly or used an agent? If agent; which of them did u use as I learnt Tanko and Eddy don't charge d same fee. Biko dollar ain't smilling o.

LI:
Round One of our missionary journey is officially a wrap. Wifey and baby returned to Naija yesterday via BA.

Even while there were a few legitimate concerns, we went ahead with Dr F and Oakbend. We figured there were both positive and negative reviews for him but as long as other people were birthing with him, it couldn't be worse than the experiences we've had in the past.

In this era of misconstruing positive feedback for selling and one who gives good reviews must be an agent, I will not be that open about our experience with the doctor. However, there were two incidents worth noting:

1. We got a bill of $6,840 from US Anesthesia Partners for wifey's unscheduled CS after speaking to a customer rep. He insisted on not accepting our payment of $950 until the matter was decided by the board and demanded we fax a justification for the reduction in price to him. We sent him all the documents he requested and at the last minute, we spoke to Dr F about it. He referred to the customer rep as ignorant who should be taken lessons from we patients. Long story short, we didn't pay a cent more than $950 and we received our zero balance.

2. After sending numerous emails to Alice of Oakbend and several un-returned phone calls in-between, Dr F during our post partum appointment advised we pay them a visit at the billing office. We did and got our zero balance 30 minutes later.

The doctor could be the worst doctor in the whole US of A or we were just lucky.

Sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed in no small measure to our journey: directly or otherwise. We are very grateful. The openness with which information is shared here is unparalleled and this made everything super smooth. Even our friends who live in America got a few tips from us.

P.S Now preparing myself for Round Two before Donald Trump gets sworn into office and dabaru everything

Chei! @ Bros LI, round two keh wen una neva unpack bag finish, easy on madam o. Congrats on the successful completion of this mission.
Please for the sake of we peeps whjo also flew BA, a beg take us through how you went about adding the infant ticket, how much it cost, free baggage allowance for the infant etc. Thank u Sir

firsttymum:
Pediatric first visit for me was 75 dols
Did that new born screening too. But for 12 dols. The nurse assisting the dr( as in take weight et al) insisted I b referred me to memorial hermann she said it was the cheapest and truly it was.

Baby doesn't need a ticket for the Nigerian visa. Urs is enough.
Btw ETC is cheaper.

@firstymum God bless that Nurse jare, which paediatrics is that o so I can insist on using him/her too, is it our Doc E that appoints the Paed for us? Dollar isn't smilling o, I learnt its now N250 for aboki.

Hello Mums, though I don't have an idea what the BC looks like but I have a question.
When filling the BC form, for those of us whose Int passport is in our maiden name despite being married. What name do we fill in the BC form (as the mother) does it allow us to fill both maiden name and married name?

neks31:
I just noticed we r going to have lots of babies here Jan/feb!!! Hmmmm dear Firsttymum pls come n work your " kpekus conspiracy" for us lmaoooo! Why r we having lots of babies this period?? What happened am curious lmaoo

@neks31, I guess it should be as a result of last year's Easter holiday kpekusing, just do the count.
@firstymum over to you, that's your ministry.

My people, i don land for Houston o. POE was very brief, secondary inspection was enjoyable and short, no Food siezed at Agriculture. Waiting for host to pick me up to Richmond while enjoying d Airport Wifi.
@firstymum, my yam dey intact o, care for some boiled yam on scrambled Eggs? I used your lucozade bottle style for my palmoil but na MM Lagos dem comot am.

Will give full transcript later, battery don flat.

favoredgal:
In sure port can give u, you don't need it backdated, BA's policy is 36 weeks so u have nothing to worry about, just get there early.

From what Iv read it's 2k at the port health

Chei! 2k compared to 10k hospitals charge. Thot BA strictly wants it from the Doctor.

Hello all, pls I have a question. I know that one can have a Dr's correspondence and port to another Doc.
Now, assume u use Dr X correspondence for visa interview and u now want to present Dr Y correspondence @ POE, hope d CBP officer won't flag it, as in won't they see in their system that Dr X is where u said u want to go? Esp if one is slightly over the weeks old Dr X would accept according to his correspondence.

zoemummy:
Thanks friends. I appreciate the guidance. I'll revert with what I'm able to gather and the final decision. Thanks

@bbiz, firsty........ what's the baby's account for? I understand d opening of account for us is for safekeep of funds. Is that for d baby a requirement, regulation or

favoredgal:
To add my 2 cents for Naija visa (since I know u are not going to Atlanta) u don't need any notary. Eddy sent a sample letter and I signed on behalf of my dh who wasn't anywhere near me

For American passport however u need a notarized letter of consent if your dh won't be there

You can sign it down and take it with you but remember not to date it yet

@Favored girl, please help send d sample consent letter Eddy sent you, I hope it won't be breaking a rule if posted on d platform for all. Or do u mind if I PM you?

Shawbabe:
Why people wait till the last minute to apply for their visas baffles me. Deciding to give birth in a new country is serious business, and one's planning should start EARLY and be to a T! All this rush over nothing is really your fault. Any way, hopefully u get date and is granted. Good luck.

Let's take time to understand d situation before we respond if we mean to help anyone who seeks.
@Shawbabe dear, I and hubby have our visas months back. Just that work related issues that came up days ago is preventing hubby to come join me as planned. Hence; d reason I'm considering getting early interview date for Mum to join me to help out. No fire brigade here, that's my plight and thanks for responding.

Hi all, I have a little challenge on my hands and need all d help I can get from this forum. DH was to join me on this trip to assist during delivery & post delivery. Until lately, his office refused to release him cos of a project dat cant be handed over and I am scheduled to port by weekend.

I need to quickly get an early interview date in Lagos so that my mum can join me, was up all night but earliest date was Dec 23 & baby will be past due by then. I rem we have gurus who are good with this date thing. Abeg biko o as this has destabilised me as to coping all alone.

firsttymum:
The Lord that does what no man can do.... How excellent is His name.

I'm a Mother... I give God the praise.

Hheeeeeeh! congrats firstymum, may God bless d little one.

firsttymum:
Hi Hi just waving and waddling by.....

lol waddling like a duck I can imagine, hope u are good.
@firstymum/Ozycy/Nasadiva/Dtush, please I need information as to the test our Doc E requires especially this Papsmear and Chlamydia, does she request for it or is it still going to be done under her Doctors fee package or Oakbend's hospital package? A beg help a sister trying to minimise cost as I'm due to leave for Houston in less than 2wks.

Also I rem someone mentioned their Doc didn't give them antibiotics for her CS, hope our Doc E does give d necessary drugs following a CS. I'm trying to mark my checklist which includes OTC drugs to pack along.

Has any mama/papa used West chase creek apartments in 77082 Houston; how secure is it, their amenities and general experience as an expectant/nursing mother.

Congrats on all d new visa approval, successful POE stories and wonderful births. You all have been a great source of rich, qualitative information second to none, may God bless us all., I shall be back very soon to share my sweet POE experience. Luv ya all!

twingirls:
Aren't you a darling? I'm set to travel 1st week of Dec, I'm trying to put my house in order since dh won't be going wt me and am heading Houston, where any authorised notary public can notorised my form. Now you've made my day and save me more hours of investment on research. I can now go on to make my ekuru (white moimoin) and ata dindin (fried stew wt locust beans) my latest craving [size=8pt][/size]

@twin girls, did I hear u say Ekuru? how u make me salivate dis morning. Where are u from cos its a delicacy in my village.

bizzle6:
Now that the whole wahala has died down can someone please answer me mbok. Or do I have to be an agent here to get attention hahaha

@Bizzle6, I learnt BenTaub hospital in Houston is vbac friendly, just that I couldn't get quotes wen I called them, they insisted that they can only discuss birth options when one comes in person. You can check their website and contact them, u might be luckier.

When i discussed it with d Doc I intend using (Dr E ) she said she does it but d hospital she is attached to doesn't encourage it. That's d challenge with d vbac thing in Houston. Heard d options are better in El paso tho.

bbiz:
Hello Arabanbi007 saw your post, I am still looking for a roommate you can PM if you are still interested. As for doctors, I know a very good one at west Houston my friend just had her baby there yesterday and mother and child are all doing well. I also know one that is also good at oak bend because I currently have a friend using the doctor now. I use Ben tub because I like the Ben tub experience.

Hmmm Bbiz, i love the way u shared this; "Ben Taub experience". Could u share this experience?

Tobermom:
So after the extra smooth POE experience, the temporary season of hunger games and eventual house swap, my lil one arrived early hours of this morning at wyckoff heights! Its a girl! ( thank God, didnt want any bruce/caitlyn jenner things after buying too much pink!) and it was through a VBAC too. God is indeed very faithful. I thank Him cos it has ended in praise!

VBAC wao! Congrats Tobermom, love to the princess. I tap into this grace.

Mum2bee:
To God be the glory! My prince arrived on the 14th of October, baby and I are doing great! It was a normal delivery and I must say that it was favour all the way!

Congrats proud mama!

firsttymum:
honestly you took this out of my mouth.
Even ordinary powder with talc isn't good for a baby... Which powder doesn't have talc? It causes lung damage... But no matter how it's preached people still use it.. The way women pack it on babies body you'll wonder why the baby is so white...

Vaseline blue seal is good for baby skin. Sebamed baby soap is $5 approximately I know it's expensive it's very good too. There are different products made specifically for baby skin.

I think the excuse is that out mothers used it and nothing happened so we will use it. You've forgotten the people who made it for our mothers ain't the people making it today. Then it was genuinely for good health and skin... Now it's for more profit and how much more profit can b made plus the copy cats.

@firstymum did u get sebamed cleansing bar at Walmart online, I intend buying it along from Naija but couldn't get it from my regular store here, learnt its scarce. I used it for my first daughter till she was 18months.
What's coconut oil used for, u mentioned it in one of your post.

neks31:
My dear the story is not straight forward! Asking for the name of the hospital lemme google it them no Gree! They r just quoting without documentation. I don't want any xtra bill or stories that touch the pocket!!

lol stories that touch the pocket!

neks31:
Yes in Texas! Waiting for more info I can't wait for them to wake up. I hope she wil be very detailed when I bombard her with all my questions.

@neks31, any news from your aunt-inlaw as regards the
hospital offering 4700 package for CS in san antonio ? we are
itching for information o. Thanks

bizzle6:
I haven't really made up my mind if I would have my baby in richmond( oakbend precisely) or el paso. I'm really looking out for a hospital that would agree to a VBAC, any information on that would help greatly.
If I'm having my baby in richmond I'm likely staying in Pearland or Ild have to look for accommodation within richmond. Kindly share the prices u r getting on accommodation

@bizzle6, I am also searching for a VBAC hospital but my discussion with the Oak bend Doc shows most hospital around Houston don't do it. I found out Ben Taub General hospital Houston TX 77030 does it but when I called them, they couldn't ascertain anything and insisted that its when I come in person that we can discuss on it, other birthing options and cost/fees. So in d meantime, I'm settling for Oak bend and staying in Richmond (a private paid arrangement) unless a good VBAC deal comes up. If u can call Ben Taub Hospital, u might be lucky to get a better response on cost breakdown and other info. If you do, pls let me know.

@Embermum, I could find out for you if they have another spare room, when are u leaving? have u bought your ticket, which airline and POE are you using?

zoemummy:
Come & join me sing hallelujah, Jehovah Jireh has done me well...

Back to share my VO story...

The resources on this thread are priceless.

After exchanging pleasantries, the VO asked me about a previous UK visa denial, I explained it and showed him other countries I'd been to. He then asked about the purpose of visit, I told him about the training and childbirth (didn't start the story of not mentioning childbirth in my application). The focus immediately shifted from training to childbirth!

He then asked about medical correspondences & I calmly passed them on including the 'golden' budget sheet (mom's pls have this handy). He reviewed my bank statements and I also had specific financial documents related to the funding for childbirth; covering the full amount for the bills, which he reviewed.

He asked why I wasn't having the baby in the same state where I'd be having the training and I explained that I didn't have anyone to stay with except in Houston.

I had to remind him about the training and asked if he'd like to see the supporting documents. He just said I was going to a prestigious school and he had no issues with it.

He then confirmed how long I'd stay & I said 8-10 weeks.
He typed away for a few minutes & handed me the white sheet for visa pick up. I calmly thanked him and left in thanksgiving mode

Thanks MumTee, FinanceFitness, Phema & house members...

BTW, just thought this might also be helpful. There was another lady there for vacation & childbirth but her visa processing/decision was placed on hold pending presentation of medical correspondences et al. So, it's really important to go there prepared.

@Zoemummy, so so happy for you, couldn't help smiling out loud on my seat. When are u leaving? Looking forward to hear your favoured POE experience. Cheers!

neks31:
Yes in Texas! Waiting for more info I can't wait for them to wake up. I hope she wil be very detailed when I bombard her with all my questions.

@neks31, any news from your aunt-inlaw as regards the hospital offering 4700 package for CS in San Antonio? we are itching for information o. Thanks

neks31:
anybody used any hospital in San antonio? My aunty just called DH about a hospital there with a total package of 4700 for elective CS! I'm still skeptical cos I don't want to enter one chance!

Are u serious, abeg @neks31 more information on this hospital o esp for us wey dey on budget for CS. What's the name of the hospital? Total package 4700? Hosp fee, Doc fees, Lab, Paed, Anaesthesia all inclusive? I suppose don buy ticket o but still holding on for a better deal.

bizzle6:
Anyone dec mom giving birth in El Paso or Richmond in the house?

@bizzle6 I'm a Richmond Dec mom o

zoemummy:
@Mumtee, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Finding this thread and all the helpful moms & dads is an answered prayer!

Great, so no need to send them an email ahead. BGG, I should deliver in Houston very early in December-WHMC. Dr. Elvis Torres or Matti Korhonen. Hope we can meet up. Which hospital are you using?

Would you mind sharing the budget template or guide on how to find it on this thread?

May God grant me, and the rest of us in the visa processing stage, FAVOUR!

Thanks a million!

I intend to use Dr Adaiah Ezekiel in Oakbend. The budget sheet is hereby attached.
Honestly, i remember DH mentioned he heard about Dr F's attitude subjecting mamas to induction when they didnt request for it etc but I searched for this info online but didnt see it. Healthgrades and a couple other medical site to check out Dr's reviews didnt even mention anything like it but i knew one day I would get more info on him via this platform. May God help us.