₦airaland Forum

happytbaby:
I say thank you to Nef, Nnystc and all others that have encouraged Blaize777. I ve been offline all day so by the time I got here, everything had been said.

@ Blaize777: God will lay his healing hands on your baby. You shall not have cause to sorrow in Jesus name.

@ Everyone who contributed in my days of indecision, I say thank you. The Jury is in and its El Paso. Bestie and Hubby tear me warning on saturday to better pick hospital that will accept Form A and lets move on. According to hubby, we cannot be using torchlight to find cheap dollars. Na so i begin email doctoresparati for invoice. They are so responsive!

Long story short, Form A was approved and account was debited today @ 199.5. We paid for both hospital and obgyn and even though there is an additional charge if 250 dollars for prepaying hospital bills.

@Biollar Onidollar Atawewe of God,

I used your hospital reference letter today. The doctor couldnt stop laughing at your stunts. God bless you.

Please what bank did you use for your form A?

Xenadarl:
Just received this

Na wao, this is serious. I hope and pray other banks don't follow their steps. And to imagine that we can't get PTA and most of the foreign medical facilities are not accepting form A.

Maybe their decision to stop offering international ATM transactions is due to the recent harassment of some bank workers by EFFC for exorbitant charges.

I just tire for this our country.

nefertitiram:
Hummmnn...

What if this is a recent development? Will you say MadameU is also lying? CBP people don de vex o! A friend of mine, as in, a friend like a sister was turned back from Chicago for using a package deal. We are all still traumatised on her behalf. This ish is real. I hhave also heard 2 separate stories about this MIHS issue. Am thinking it's the POE that has gone bonkers.

My friend was able to get correspondence from the hosp in her defence that she owes nothing so that she can reapply for a visa

Please, what amount is their definition of 'too cheap'? Lots of people have been using hospital+Services that add up to less than $6,000. Could that be refereed to as 'too cheap'?

modath:
@ Bublehot ,

Some things after paying for excess baggage fee , I found out na just oversabi cos the price here is just 700 naira difference!!! Guess it's cos dem importers dey buy containers while we buy retail in stores or costco/sam's club..
Try and check that it's not load for no reason.

No matter what you do however, Please don't ship wipes, you can buy 2 or 3 to use till you are fit to run around!! Wipes is just waterlogged absorbent tissue, not worth paying to "carry water".. My 2k

I totally agree with you on this, even diapers are not worth it. There are some really nice and decently priced diapers in Nigeria that are not even the popular brands. You can explore those.

Zumabeezle:
Got into Houston on a Sunday and all was well. On Monday night my water broke. Baby was delivered via cs on Tuesday night. She wasn't breathing or making a sound. Fear ripped thru me. 12 minutes of silence! Then i heard that beautiful cry.! Glory to God.
Coz she came early, she was put in nicu level 2. Eventually got discharged from d hospital. Now the bills are coming in. Hmmm, my pple, i don't even know where to start from. Nicu bill is over the roof! Hospt bill for baby too. May God help me.
Special thanks to those who gave me advice d other time. @adebuble, @suntai for the prayers, @shrekandfiona, @nefertitiram, @adiahabasi, @modath, @cindermum, @happytbaby, @theleakytribe, @ladyguinivere.

Congrats and all glory to God for your baby's life. How far gone were you?

May God provide for you to pay off those bills.

Flavour1900:
Hello mamas in the house pls who is coming to Houston today or tomorrow. My notary was rejected hubby just made Anoda but my travel date is supposed to be Monday. Pls someone help God bless u.

So sorry I can't help. But why was it rejected? So we can learn from your experience

I just went to Stanbic IBTC to source Forex and I saw notification number 1.

I headed to the head office and saw the 2nd notification.

The lady said I could fill the form and just submit, said they're not promising anything as the chances of getting are very slim.

I met a guy there that said he filled form for Forex over 2 weeks before his wife left, yet no luck. He's trying his hands on form A now.

Ajujuju2:
I knw d birth center option is cheaper and tempting especially if you have had a baby before and was good on vaginal delivery. However I just felt the urge to warn here that if anything goes wrong and you need to be referred to a hospital, ambulance fee alone is outta this world, talkless of the cost of emergency.

I pray you deliver like the Hebrew woman but better to know and evaluate yur choices right. Especially if you are a first time Mum!

Thanks for your advise. But the truth is that they're not really cheaper when compared with some hospitals in Houston. The one I'm thinking of using has a total package of $5,600. I am actually just very enthusiastic about trying water-birth and experiencing a homelike birth. My first child was VB and I have taken my time to evaluate the situation, even up to the emergency bit and I am pretty confident that I'll be fine.

I'll be leaving the country at 35+ weeks and I'm working with a wonderful gynaecologist here. If he as much as shows a little bit of reluctance before I leave, I'll change my mind and use a hospital, otherwise, I'm actually pretty excited about the birth center option.

Rubislaw:
Please anyone travelling to Houston in July? And any information on accommodation would be great. Will be using Oakbend please suggestions needed. Thanks

I'll be going to Houston at the end of June.

Have you contacted Oakbend and do you have a doctor? Have you been given a quote? Did you try to see if you can pay upfront before leaving Nigeria?

HutleyR:
Hi house, I have a case. I acquired my visa for vacation and did the whole change of intent for child birth. Arrived JFK and was asked wat I was here for, told them vacation and childbirth then he took me for secondary inspection, d cpb was a black guy and he started wailing about how Nigerians come here for American passport , told him I was here for better medical care, he said when the government changes, he was sure the rules will change as well. He refused to check my email correspondence or even cash on me, he only said he would do me a favour and printed an I- 539 form for extension and stamps me in for just a month. He said I should make sure I mail the form and pay d fee 290 dollars and once I mail it attaching my correspondence , the restriction will be lifted . Quite confused as I am 32 weeks now and d form seems not to apply to my case.

Na woa. So sorry. It would appear that the blacks are way meaner and more disgruntled than the white guys just because they had the opportunity we didn't have by virtue of the fact that their parents moved there a long time ago.

They should remember that if Obama's father hadn't moved to America at 23, Obama would never have been American or their president today.

Take heart, do what he's asked you to do and pray for the best, at least, you're there already.

Ye2ndearisto:
Hello All,

Here is my breakdown of all bills issued and and paid so far.

I used oak bend , Dr Fagbohun .

Dr fees and test- 2020
Hospital fees -2300.
Nic -$416
I cancelled hearing test .
Brown and associates gave me two bills . $93 and $24.
Then a mama we stayed together discovered a clinic beside us for PD visit. First visit $30 and hearing test was also done . Second visit $30. The clinic is hope clinic they are in bellaire Blvd and they also give correspondence.( hope am not breaking rules.).

Then for those using west Houston , Oakbend , Methodist . The accommodation I'm using , a room will be vacant from 29th of May . Good and strategically located on cook road by bellaire.

Congrats on your successful journey. From my calculation, you spent a total of $4,913. Was that all you spent?

blaize777:
I don get small strength my Houston poe lol tough a lil though
Vo_why re u here
Me-childbirth
Vo- u re here for citizenship and did u declare at d embassy u re coming for child birth be truthful
ME_better health care& I did
Vo_ so mamm u came 4 citizenship tell me the gospel truth
Me- I came for beta Healthcare.
Vo_ u still don't want to be truthful
Me-sir is d truth I told u
Vo-example UK everyone ran from dem becos no more citizenship but back den it was hot spot now usa is now wer everyone wants becos of citizenship I want to ask u a sincere question if by nxt yr we stop giving will u still come here for childbirth.
ME-OF course am just after d gud medical services omggg d man just starred at me and removed his face.
Vo_ y re u here
Me-childbirth (inside me I don dey vex ďesame story again)
Vo_y American and ve u paid ur bills.
ME_better health care & all my medical receipts re in the envelope u took from me.naso dis woman started checking all d document der.

That's my story òoòoo

Congrats on your passage but I am beginning to wonder, is there anything with accepting that we're giving birth in the US for the passport, so the child will have choices when he grows up?

Everyone seems to be spooling the 'better health care' story and from your experience, it appears they're tired is hearing the same excuse over and over.

Please I need sincere answers.

nefertitiram:
And if u think of the stress of dragging bags from terminal to terminal. Then add the wahala of paying for baggage on your connecting flight. It could be tiring

My sentiments exactly.

MadameU:
A piece of advice for those trying to book Emirates online and pay in a bank; know that it's very possible, just pick the pay by card option, when you get to the next phase look out for the pay by interswitch, click that go to the next and tick the pay in the bank option and move on ...if you tick that it won't charge your card, but if you do not then you would be debited. Should anyone have problems please PM. Or post your dates n I could do a trial booking for you. I no be agent o but it's funny how I book flights everyother week just to see if rates will increase or decrease .

Is there any disadvantage if I pay with my master card?

ify4charm:
Pls new and old mama's I urgently need advise.

I just put to bed but haven't been able to express any breastmilk since the last 24hrs. LO sucks but nothing comes out. I am still doing skin to skin contact to initiate milk flow. Pls is there anyone who has experienced this and has a solution. Currently she is being bottled fed but i ll like to stop it asap.

I had the same experience with my first child. I used the Medela electric swing breast pump but even that started working properly after about 2 days. Just be patient, keep putting her on, drink lots of water and it will eventually come in.

candyce:
1.The three of them opened an account this April.
2. They all live in Abuja.
3. Due for delivery in July, all houston bound.
What a coincidence

I'm based in Lagos and heading to Katy Texas. I'll be using a birth center, which I've already contacted. Trust me, this is pure coincidence. I have only one moniker here.

nefertitiram:
WRONG

JFK terminal 8 is for domestic flights. Pls do your research

Ok thanks. I've even abandoned the idea of going through JFK. I'll take Emirates directly to Houston. Dreading the long trip though.

priscai:
I will be traveling June to Houston traveling from lag AF. intend using oak bend and Dr F. Let's all hook up.

I tried to sent you a message but I'm not allowed until you reply. Pls reply so we can share contact details and take it from there.

Beryl15:
Naijamama, Tobi12345 & phabulouschy
Why do I feel you're one and the same?

No, not the same. I am NaijaMama. New here and don't know the other 2.

phabulouschy:
@Naijamama

I am also due in july ending considering Houston intent to travel in june, do have a Dr and hospital yet? Have u booked ur flight? If yes which airline? We can arrange our trip 2gether am in Abuja.

I'll be using a birth center in Katy Texas, but I'm in Lagos. I was thinking of breaking my flight through New York because of the issues I've read about with Houston POE but after I read another poster that with have any issues with $8k on her, I decided I'll just go through Houston and pray all goes well.

Let's hook up though. I'll like to have a partner in this journey.

phabulouschy:
Hi, am new here tho I have been reading through all the post.

I am pregnant due in july, intend to travel in june but yet to decide which state to go to, however I read @happytbaby's post of going to chicago, I have I family friend there but m looking for an affordable hospital please if you have details of any reasonable hospital in chicago or houston please let me know.

I'm due in July and leaving in June as well. I'll be staying with my sister and mum in Houston but at least, we can hook up, share a rented car if necessary. Besides, it will just be nice to know another Naija preggy around. I intend to fly directly to Houston by Emirates.

happytbaby:
My sister, you don dey rival some people here for comedy o. Thanks for making me smile though.

For internal flights, I have flown Jetair and Southwest within America, both of them have excellent customer service! Shame go catch you when you compare to our local airlines. I only prefer Southwest because the first two check-in luggage (50pounds each) fly free, every other airline charges for it one way or the other.

If you are afraid of missing flights, put a day or two between your two flights, book one of those hotels close to Heathrow that have airport shuttle, there is a complimentary phone somewhere (they will give you directions) where you call them upon arrival and they usually pick you within 10 to 15 minutes. They will also drop you back at the airport. That way you won't miss any flight.

Also, for Southwest, if you cancel your flights, you do not lose your money, the money only stays in your account to be utilized for future trips...anyway things can't be that bad, we be naija we go sha find a way sha ni.

Tip: if you are going in Summer, you need to book the hotel long in advance because the price will skyrocket closer to the travel date.

I have noticed that local flights don't take off from JFK in New York. Flights can either be gotten from Laguadia or Newark. If that's the case, how do I shuttle arriving in JFK and catching a flight to Houston?

I am also trying to use wakanow to book one way from Lagos to JFK and one way return from Houston to Lagos. Do you envisage any challenges with at the Point of Entry when I present tickets from 2 different airlines and 2 different locations?

asikiye:
Please who is going to Houston and using WHMC in early august? Would be nice to have a flat mate.

I'll be due end of July and leaving for Houston in June. I'll love a flat mate too. Will my dates work for you?

Never mind, I've decided to stay with my sister in Houston, so I won't be needing that accommodation anymore.

bigfido:
Sorry I can't say anything until I get a clear from the moderator.

I tried to pm you but it was gridded out because we're not connected. Pls can you accept me? I'm interested in the accommodation bit.

bigfido:
hello people,

Uber nearly used night bus to send me back to my village until i got to rent a car from Hertz.

@justwise I have accommodation suggestions for people and need your approval to talk about it.

thanks

Congrats on your baby. I'll be due at the end of July and looking at leaving at 34 weeks. On your car rent from Hertz, did you need to get an international driver's license to drive or did your regular Nigerian driver's license suffice?

Also, I'm interested in your suggestion for accommodation in Houston. Pls help a sister.