₦airaland Forum

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Hi dittobaby, are you in Sacramento now?

Congrats o! I'm might also be heading to LA if I don't get any affordable hospital in Sacramento. Mamatobenna I have sent you a pm. Seriously expecting your response.[/quote]

nelly2012:
Enroute to Yankee, infact am writing on transit... we got 8 visibly preggies on flight from naija (could be more, lol). Am sure a NLder follow come... will update you guys soon. Journey mercies & safe delivery to us all... #Godwin!

Update...a very long one....
Flew Air France from ABUJA- PARIS-San Francisco airport in California(23:30 hrs flight time), 3 flights landed same time so queue was overlong but I maintained peace & quietness until it came to my turn. He was an elderly white man with no smile on his face at first...

ME: GOOD DAY SIR(HANDING HIM MY PASSPORT & LANDING CARD)
HIM: GOOD DAY MA'AM AND WHY ARE YOU HERE?

ME: REST AND HAVE MY BABY(SMILING)
HIM: OH GOOD. YOU'RE PREGNANT?

ME: YES (STEPPING BACK FOR HIM TO SEE MY BUMP)
HIM: (SMILING) I WANT TO COME AND VISIT NIGERIA SOON. HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS THERE.

ME: (CONFUSED. HOW THAT ONE TAKE CONCERN ME NOW?) HMMM.. THAT WOULD BE NICE.
HIM: I LIKE THE NOLLYWOOD MOVIES, VERY INTERESTING( FLIPPING THROUGH MY PASSPORT ANF LOOKING AT MY FACE INTERMITTENTLY)

ME: OH YEAH...( I SAID IN MY MIND THIS MAN WAN ACT PSYCHOLOGIST FOR ME EH..)
HIM: HOW FAR GONE ARE YOU?

ME: I TOLD HIM
HIM: WHO IS THE LUCKY FATHER?

ME: HE'S IN NIGERIA AND WILL BE HERE SHORTLY
HIM: I SEE. DO YOU HAVE AN OLDER CHILD?

ME: YES..
HIM: HOW OLD IS HE AND DID YOU HAVE HIM HERE TOO?

ME: (STILL SMILING) HE'S 2 YEARS AND YES I HAD HIM HERE.
HIM: OK. SO WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO HABE YOUR BABY IN THE U.S?

ME: BLAH BLAH BLAH...
HIM: ANY DOCTORS LETTER TO SUPPORT THAT?

ME: NO. I JUST HAVE A PRENATAL REPORT FROM MY DOCTOR IN NIGERIA
HIM: OK. DID YOU TELL YOUR EMBASSY ABOUT YOUR INTENTIONS WHEN YOU APPLIED FOR THIS VISA?

ME: NO. I WASN'T PREGNANT AT THE TIME BUT I EMAILED THEM AND HERE IS THE REPLY.(HANDS HIM THE COI LETTER)
HIM: OK GOOD. I'M GONNA WALK YOU TO THE SECONDARY INSPECTION AND HABE THEM ASK YOU MORE QUESTIONS OK? JUST TELL THEM ALL YOU TOLD ME.

ME: THAT'S FINE (SMILING)
HIM: YOU SHOULD BE FINE JUST TO CLARIFY SOME ISSUES. CAN I HELP WITH YOUR BAG?

ME: (HANDED HIM THE BAG). THANK YOU.

AT SECONDARY INSPECTION, I SAT FOR ABOUT 20MINS AND A MIDDLE AGED WHITE LADY CALLED ME INTO A ROOM. SHE HAD A PLAIN PAPER AND PEN WITH MY PASSPORT AND LANDING CARD.

ME: GOOD DAY MA'AM (SMILING AND VERY TIRED)
LADY: HI. OK SO TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOUR TRIP, PURPOSE AND HOW LONG YOU INTEND TO STAY?

ME: AM HERE FOR VACATION AND BIRTHING.
LADY: (WRITING IT DOWN) DO YOU HAVE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT? ANYTHING ON PAPER?

ME: YES( HANDING HER MY APPT LETTER)
LADY: WHAT'S THE COST ESTIMATE? AND ANYTHING FROM THE HOSPITAL?

ME: OH YES. (HANDS HER ALL THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE & HOSPITAL CORRESPONDENCE AND THE RECEIPTS OF THE PAYMENTS I'VE MADE)
LADY: HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE ON YOU?(STILL WRITING EVERYTHING DOWN)

ME: $.... AND I ALSO HAVE MY DEBIT CARDS.
LADY: ( CALCULATING THE DOCTOR'S FEE PLUS HOSPITAL FEE MINUS THE AMOUNT PAID, CHECKING THE BALANCE AND WHAT I HAD WITH ME). SO YOU OPTING FOR CAESAREAN DELIVERY?

ME: AS MY DOCTOR RECOMMENDS WHEN I SEE HIM. AM NOT PARTICULAR ABOUT ANY. I JUST WANT MYSELF AND BABY TO BE SAFE.
LADY: HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS HOSPITAL? YOUR BROTHER RECOMMENDED IT?

ME: THEY HAD GOOD REVIEWS ONLINE AND THEIR COSTS WITHIN MY BUDGET( I REFUSE TO MENTION MY SON UNLESS ASKED THOUGH I HAD ALL THE ZERO BALANCE LETTERS)
LADY: WHERE'S YOUR PARTNER AND WHAT DOES HE DO?

ME: IN NIGERIA BUT WILL BE HERE SHORTLY. HE WORKS AS ..... @.....
LADY: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT HAVING BABIES?

ME: I'M A .....
LADY: OH YOU ARE AND COULDNT FIND ANY GOOD DOCTOR TO BIRTH YOU IN NIGERIA?

ME: (SMILED. SOME QUESTIONS ARE BETTER NOT ANSWERED)
LADY: SO DO YOU CIRCUMCISSION ROITINELY IN YOUR COUNTRY?

ME: ( ANOTHER PSYCHOANALYTICAL QUESTION) DEPENDS ON RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PREFERENCE...
LADY: WHAT'S YOUR BROTHERS NAME AND WHAT DOES HE DO?

ME: I TOLD HER
LADY: YOUR PARENTS MUST HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB( STILL WRITING)

ME: THANK YOU MA'AM.
LADY: (STAMPING MY PASSPORT AND HANDING ALL MY PAPERS TO ME) PLS KEEP ALL YOUR RECEIPTS COS WE'LL BRING YOU HERE THE NEXT TIME TO VERIFY THEM.

ME: SURE MA'AM. THANK YOU
LADY: HAVE A SAFE DELIVERY AND BE GOOD.

My people, na so I take waka go carry my baggage( no agric inspection ). It all took about an hour+.
NB: This is my 4th U.S. visa( all multiples) and all have been used severally. My point exactly is to be over ready and have your facts straight. These guys don't laugh these days... Sorry for the long posts but na so e take happen.
Thanks guys, you all rock big time... #Godwin!

Enroute to Yankee, infact am writing on transit... we got 8 visibly preggies on flight from naija (could be more, lol). Am sure a NLder follow come... will update you guys soon. Journey mercies & safe delivery to us all... #Godwin!

Check Omed surgicals by National hospital gate.

mamanjai:
Hi Abuja Mamas! Pls where else can I get compression socks apart from H-Medix?

kaakaa:
Hello everyone, .... am a firstimer, read thru most of the previous comments and am impressed...please want to know if anybody know any affordable hospital in san francisco ,or how I can go about looking for dr there, pls will appreciate any info on that. Thank you.... @sayoberry did u deliver in California?

OK. The San francisco bay area is a no go area for someone on a budget... researched on that area for about a week and the cheapest I got for C/S hosp fee was like $11k. Pls you can research more online and if you succeed lemme know OK. As per California in general, cheaper rates are towards LA. We've had a. few mother's here use there. Check MamaTobenna & OMary83 posts. They are in Inglewood, CA now.
Hope this helps.

AyaSho:
Pls has anyone travelled with Airfrance.
Please what is it like and how many luggage can one carry.
Please ur advice needed.
Thanks

Hi. I have travelled with AirFrance to the U.S, once for birthing and once for vacay and will use them again soon. Their service is good and I love the CDG airport in Paris. You're allowed to carry 2 luggage of 23kg each in economy cabin.

cgese:
Please has anyone who previously had a baby in the US been able
to renew through dropbox successfully.

Yes. I used the drop box to renew last year after baby in 2012. No questions asked, no receipts included(tho I had them ready). Visa ready in 4 business days.
All the best!

@Shawbabe, you've made the most point in this argument... pls it's not a norm to travel at 36 weeks, let's do the right thing and leave the rest to God. Pregnancy is a physiology changing process, the long flight hours, the change in body clock as in time difference and jet lag... new environment for first time( and even tenth time travellers)... pls don't tempt God my people.

@drafrican, enough is said already...

Nigerians, all of us, our attitude to work/duty is wrong. It's a pity but it's just a Nigerian thing!
The laxity is too much...Doctors, bankers, nurses, business men & women, receptionist etc...

I also lost a 16 wks pregnancy in the nos 1 govt hosp in Nigeria after many years of waiting(so ask me about the pain of loosing a pregnancy after years of marriage)... could have happened anywhere tho but doctor on call in the emergency unit on Xmas day was no where to be found and I was contracting in pains until hubby acted small drama, lol... long story short... we all need to change our attitude to duty.

Besides, am a doctor too... nobody should slaughter me o...lol

@ Ochioraumu, so so sorry for this horrible experience. I won't pretend to understand how you feel. Pls try & staystrong.

My brother was denied entry into a London POE but was given a UK study visa after a few years on the same passport. He didnt use an immigration lawyer though he's a lawyer himself. He appealed the decision in plain written English and his case reconsidered.
I think you need to come home, chill out for a while and reapply. Make sure they hear you out and keep your story as simple as possible.
Your visa was cancelled with prejudice... you can get another non immigrant visa, it won't be easy but you have to prove your intentions clearly.
All the best sis... You will be just fine.

Huge congrats sis.

MadameU:
Hey Fam, all praise and thanks be to God the most merciful one; I am now a mummy to the cutest lil girl ever! It's not an easy road but it's worth it. My apologies to folks who PM me and didn't get a response, I've literally had my hands full. Many thanks to all the lovely Nairaland mamas in Phoenix, y'all Rock, I have found in you guys a reference point and most of all a family.
I had a great experience at the hospital, angelic and fantastic Nurses, top quality medical attention to say the least.... Thank a God for the Maternity Package sha. For now make I return to my mummy duties will give a detailed account of my experience some other time. God bless us all!

MamaTobenna, chai! Na so you wan leave me here without info on the LA hospital. Biko help a sister! Resend the email. I didn't get it. Dalu o!

MamaTobenna:
Getting ready to port in a matter of days. By God's grace, will post successful flight and poe story soon. Pls if you
hear of any airline promos, biko help post here o. Looking for cheap and short flights for hubby and son

This Medicaid/medicare issue cannot be overemphasized!!! For intending Americana moms here, pls do not accept any financial help in whatever guise when you go to deliver. They will tell you a lot of stories... how Mexicans that cross the border pay nothing to have 7 kids in the U.S, how you can apply for Medicaid for your baby & use it to offset paediatrician, NICU, circumcission fees. You are not even entitled to WIC(women, infant, children) free buzz.
This Medicaid has kept my cousin, friend banned from the U.S. for years. Not that they didn't have money to pay but they listened without asking questions, and used the money to buy MK handbags..lol.
Plan well and pay your bills. You can negotiate the payment plan to suite your monthly budget.
Ignorance no be excuse o!!!! Peace out!

On a lighter mode ... ladies interested in Renown hospital in Reno Nevada, the OB package rates remain same. Pls check my previous post to avoid repetition. Just got a mail from their financial counselor.

You have every right to reject treatment/ procedure on your baby. Hep B test costs 1k in Naija. Even if they find out you or baby has Hep B( God forbid!), it's a chronic ailment and won't be treated in days.
It's negligence on the part of your doctor cos it's part of routine prenatal test anywhere in the world & I guess they just found out and want to correct it immediately.
Take it easy with them... Thank heavens you both are well.

[quote author=favouredB post=30][/quote]

Hi sisters, did anyone contact Renown Hospital in Reno, Nevada? I've been calling them for a recent cost estimate and there seems to be a mix up with another Nigerian lady that called too. Oyinbo sef!

Hi. Your brother should in addition to writing the letter of invite/sponsor, should include his statement of account, info page of his U.S. passport, pay stub, mortgage papers with or without letter of introduction frfamily. his place of work. Things to show he's capable of hosting her and paying her bills.
In terms of hospitals in LA, you see Cali is the most expensive state in the U.S.... Look up or pm Mama Tobenna, she's headed to LA and she can discuss the offer she got there.
Hope this helps. All the best for your family.

ahaika23:
what if his invitation letter states that he will foot her bills, woud that be enough grounds that her expenses wouldnt be an issue?

chloe7:
nelly2012 LA won't be bad too, I asked my friend, she said she had her baby in St Mary's San Francisco bay and I think she took medicaid because she said some missionary paid about $7k out of it bla bla bla. So her story isn't straightforward

Thanks Chloe7. It's unfortunate.

Yet to see the mail. Pls check the email address, nelloluv@yahoo.com. Thanks. I await the mail.

MamaTobenna:
sent you a mail

MamaTobenna, biko fill me in asap, nelloluv@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot.

MamaTobenna:
I am having my baby in Los angeles though and I got a pretty fair deal considering without cost of accommodation

There's a place on the form DS 160 to state if you have kids & their nationality. That is where your Americana baby comes in. I renewed last year with drop box, visa was out within 1 week. No interview. I didnt inform them I was using the previous visa for childbirth tho but I had been to the US severally before then on vacation. All the best.

FCBee:
God bless you Freddy27. I feel like hugging you right now. But my concern is this, is there any place on the form where i can say i want to have another baby there? And also state that i had a baby there and i paid all my bills. I just dont want it to be like I didnt state it. Although when i got my previous visa, i wasnt pregnant even though i mailed the embassy when i took in and decided to go. So im just worried about how to show i had the baby and paid all bills. Did you have to do that? Or they just renewed without issues?

Thanks. I appreciate Chloe. Yea, I know California is very expensive but it's definitely not easy to birth where you don't have family support esp a caesarean delivery. I've been through it before now. I want to leave my options open & do a wide research. Someone had a baby in San Jose, Cali. Bill was fair. I believe they'll be something like that around the Bay area.

chloe7:
it was vaginal without complications, she had a baby boy, you know California is probably the most expensive state in the u.s if i'm not mistaken, my sister was going to birth in cedars sinai in California before I discovered this thread announced the bill cedars sent was about $28k all in all. As for me i'll rather go somewhere really affordable like ATL or PHX or TX than to go where I have family and i'll pay through my nose. I'll send you her hospital details, i've asked her for a comprehensive breakdown

Thanks Chloe. Wow! That's outrageous! Was it a vaginal or caesarean delivery with or without complications? I'm sure she learnt something that maybe useful for me. I will need the details please. Thanks. nelloluv@yahoo.com

chloe7:
hello nelly, a friend of mine had her baby in San Francisco in December and the bills were overwhelming, she paid about $21k all in all even though she stayed with her sister, I can help you find out the details if you don't mind.

Hey fine mamas in this forum, you mean no one has given birth in the San Francisco bay area in California?
Pls help a sister with info if you have any...

[quote author=favouredB post=30080631]Hello all,
Please i understand my baby would be given hepatitis B vaccination in addiion to vit K after birth. Please is it advisable to accept this vaccine? If the baby is given hep B would it not conflict with the one she/he will be given in Naija?[/quote

When you return to Nija, just let them know that your baby has received Hep B in the states. They will know how to schedule the remaining vaccines.

IyawoToBe:
Thanks Nelly. Please are these bills the current bill or the one you used in 2012? 2012 is about 3yrs ago; alot might have changed.

How about accommodation? Where did you stay and how much did it cost pls?

I stayed with a friend who has relocated, that's the reason I'm looking for someone to plan with or birth close to family in California.
As per the current price, I'll email their financial counselor & confirm.

OK. For those interested in Nevada birthing as I've received a lot of pm about this...
The hospital is RENOWN hospital in RENO, NEVADA. they have an OB package rate for those who want to pay cash which includes $2150 for vaginal delivery and 2 days hospital stay, an extra $450 for twin delivery. $4500 for planned CS delivery and 3 days hospital stay., an extra $850 for twin delivery via CS.
The prenatal package costs $1500 includes labs, ultrasound, newborn care at the nursery (not NICU) including baby's first paediatrician visit, first vaccines for you & baby, postnatal visit, Circumcission for extra $100. Extra cost for anaesthesia is $1200, which I presume is also same for epidural.
Let me say that all of this payments will be made before delivery.
I got to stay in a cosy private room that had extra bed for my help. They served me & my help meals at no extra costs. The staff were exceptional. I didn't need to come to hospital with anything, I mean anything, every thing was provided except my cell phone of course.
I had a planned CS and my total bill was $7300.
I hope this helps ladies.

yuugo:
Pls can u giv me the cost breakdown of d hospital in Nevada.
Thanks.

Hey ladies. Good to be here again. Does anyone have any useful info for birthing in the San Francisco bay area, California? I had a baby in Renown hospital in Reno, Nevada in 2012 and got a very excellent service with a very affordable rate. I had a planned C section but because of reasons of convenience, I wish to be close to family in California. Any info will be appreciated pls. Anyone interested in Nevada should contact me for further details. I may not mind Nevada again if I get someone to plan with. April/May is a good time.

vivianobas: Hi Nelly,

I used the hospital's obstetrician (her name is Megan Donahue) but on two ocassions, I rescheduled my appointment and had another obstetrician attend to me and her name is STAHR. I didn't have any problem being accepted after 32weeks because my pregnancy was uneventful (problem-free) and I paid for the maternity package on my first visit to the hospital to enable me enjoy the reduced rate. I used the main office. I do not have any information on how to rent accommodation cos I have family in phoenix.

Thank u Vivian. I appreciate.

vivianobas: Hello Kolly Mercy,

I was 20 weeks pregnant when I applied for the visa but didnt tell that to the VO cos it wasn't showing. I got the visa without any problem cos I had the right documents (which were not checked by the way).

I was 32 weeks when I travelled and my port of entry was Newark, New Jersey. After I was stamped in for 6 months, I was directed to customs for properly checking. At this point, they still didn't know I was pregnant but the custom officer checking my luggages discovered some ante natal drugs and asked me how old the pregnancy was. I feigned ignorance but later told him the truth and also showed him the correspondences I exchanged with a birthing center in San Diego, California reflecting that I was scheduled for appointment with them. At this point, the CO took copies of the scan I had with me, the correspondences between me and the Birthing Center and asked me to wait for him. He went inside and came back to ask how I intended paying for my delivery and I told him I will be paying cash and showed him the cash. Thereafter he handed me my documents and joking told me his name and said he would be happy if I named my baby after him cos he asked if I knew the sex already and I told him.

I ended up not using the birthing center cos when I got to Arizona, my brother insisted that I deliver in Arizona and I agreed. I gave birth in an hospital and spent $3,500 for everything (including circumcision and post natal visits for me and my baby). The care I received was superb and I will recommend the hospital over and over again.

I delivered on a Thursday and on Friday morning a lady from the birth registration department of the hospital came to take the baby's details for birth certificate and social security number. I told her the I needed the birth certificate early to enable me process my baby's passport and she told me to pick up the BC on monday office at the vital records office. Lo and behold I called the vital office on Tuesday morning and my baby's BC was ready for pick up. Iwent to the office and paid $20 for it. 2 days later, I went to the court and applied for an expedited US passport for him and was asked to start tracking online after 3 days. Instead of tracking, I called the national passport center and told them I needed to travel in less than two weeks and needed to send the passport for Nigerian visa. I was told processing will take 2 to 3 weeks, but I ended up getting the passport after 9 working days. Thereafter, I sent the passport and required documents to an agent in Washington who processed the visa within 3 days. My baby was issued 2 years Nigerian visa. The SSN card arrived exactly two weeks after I delivered.

We are back to naija and I am planning of getting a Nigerian passport for him soon. The rest is history......

Mercy, hope the information I have given above will be of help to you. For more info, you can send me a mail on vivianobas@yahoo.com as I can always access my mails 247

Hi Vivian,

Thank you for this info. very detailed and helpful.
i am also thinking of using MIHS, Phoenix for delivery around Oct/Nov but i wish to know if i can get recommendations about the obstetrician u used & contact details if any. Did u have any issues with them accepting u after 32 wks cos dats about d time i wish to travel. Also which of d family health centers did u use or the MMC main campus itself? I do not have family or relatives in phoenix but i do in california, so any info on renting will be helpful too.
thanks lot.

abiolu: Hello everyone, does anyone know how to go about renting a short term accomodation in phoenix for appriximately 2 mnths. I intend to be in phonix around september/october but don't have any family or friend there. Any help/advise wld be appreciated. Thanks

hey Abiolu, where u able to find out about renting in Phoenix. i also intend to give birth there around October/ november. Any help or idea will be appreciated. Thank u.