Congrats kween

Congrats kween's and twizzie on the successful delivery of your babies.

For all who just got their visas I also say congrats.

Please I need information on shipping agents in atlanta. I need to start preparing to go home and want to ship my goods home. Thanks.

mamacajah:
Congrats kween's and twizzie on the successful delivery of your babies.
For all who just got their visas I also say congrats.
Please I need information on shipping agents in atlanta. I need to start preparing to go home and want to ship my goods home. Thanks.

Try corporate messengers. I used them a year ago.

Kween2014:
Hello everyone, praise God with me... My baby arrived last Wednesday 5:34pm at West Houston Medical Center and Dr La via normal delivery. Mother and baby doing fine. Experience was fabulous all the way, from prenatal visits to the delivery itself and 2 days postpartum stay in the hospital.

I will be happy to answer any question regarding the hospital and doctor.

I wish all expectant mums a safe delivery.

Congratulations ! God blessings upon u both. Amen

MamaTobenna:
Mabel's pls keep me posted on the BA drops biko.

Ok. I ll.

twizzie:
So I got PMS to share my experience with Mihs.
Well, I don't have subsequent experiences with any American hospitals so I really can't compare. All in all, I feel the experience was good. The staff are genuinely concerned bout you, especially the baby. They will take their time to check d baby, you sef go dey pray make them no detain you extra day. One thing though is always ask questions and when you need something, ask. If you are not clear on something, ask as well. The docs will encourage you to ask as well.
Had my baby thru Cs. was actually there that day for my ultrasound, they noticed my aminotic fluid level was a bit low. Na so them keep me for monitoring o. From monitoring, it was decided that they had to bring d baby out cos he kept moving and changing position. Induction wasnt an option cos i had a previous CS, my hope of a VBAC flew outta d window. Then they started explaining explicitly the procedure..fear gripped me at a point. Everyone explained what they were going to do. Nurses, docs, anesthesiologists,. The procedure was over in less than two hours. Recovery in post partum was sweet. Was given ice as soon as i came out. Was adviced to walk around that evening which I did. Those pain meds can turn u to a drug addict. Lol. One thing guaranteed is your welfare is their priority.
Some nurses weren't so great but some are just angels.
As for accomodation, i would advice getting a place where there are other Naija mommas. Believe me, this place boring and moving around isnt that easy. Especially if you dont have anyone to show you arou d. Cross land moms have all left, except for one. Extended stay Oak street still have a few. Ocotillo village which is where i am have just two pple left. Its quite close to d hospital, very close to d airport as well. The only thing is u need an american id and SSN to get a place here.
OK, I think I have tried, I hereby drop my 'golden' pen. Hope this helps someone.

@ twizzie
Pls i am travelling in mid Dec and i intend to use MIHS Phoenix. I tried booking an appiontment with them via email,but they said i could only book an appointment tru phone, if i do this would it not affect my POE experience,since i wont have anything to show at POE if they demand for doctors appointmenr evidence

Congrats Kween2014 and Twizzie.
@Kween, I can see PetMe has already asked you some questions on WHMC. Please I am interested in your response as I will also be using WHMC. I am however using Dr Rizk (he seems not be to be popular on this thread, I wonder why!) what was your experience at WHMC. Were you able to negotiate for discounts as a self paying patient?

Good day all,

Please I have 2 questions...

For working class mamas- have any one ever been ask for her Maternity Leave letter/approval from her company at point of entry?

Secondly in Houston, what type of notary public form is accepted there? is it from High Court or from the US Embassy?

Thanks and God Bless!!

Hello Petme and upgradedmom, apologies for the late response, it's baby duties . WHMC is 2500 for vaginal and 4000 for CS. Please be aware that this is already discounted for a self pay patient on the condition that you make full payment before you are discharged... Please this is very crucial. This is inclusive of Bill for mum and baby as long as there are no complications, I had no reason to pay extra at all.

Like I mentioned earlier, I used Dr la so I don't really have any information on other Drs who use the hospital.

I had a baby girl so I did not circumcise. My paediatrician is Dr Zietz who is also really amazing and took care of my baby throughout our 2 days stay in the hospital.

All in all, my experience was amazing, nurses were sooo helpful and supportive before and after baby.

Hope this helps.

Hello everyone,

Please could anyone post a sample of the letter usually sent to the embassy (when you already have your visa and have intention of having a baby) and also a budget sample? Thanks

Laura4u:
Good day all,

Please I have 2 questions...

For working class mamas- have any one ever been ask for her Maternity Leave letter/approval from her company at point of entry?

Secondly in Houston, what type of notary public form is accepted there? is it from High Court or from the US Embassy?

Thanks and God Bless!!

Firstly, I was not asked for my maternity leave letter but its advisable to have it handy....we never can tell.

Secondly, I hear it differs from state to state but in Chicago the 2 times(2012 &2014) i had to notarize, my husband used just a lawyer somewhere in Ikoyi close to his office while my friend in another state said she was asked to use the notary public at the embassy. so you may want to play safe and use the notary office at the embassy...just to be on the safer side.

My two cent

Hello,
Dr Huynh did my son's circumcision for $255. She uses the g-clamp method. It was fantastic, I have no complaints at all. Her instructions on circ care were very good too. The thing healed very fast, I never saw my baby in pain.

PetMe13:


[author=Kween2014 post=28090707]Hello everyone, praise God with me... My baby arrived last Wednesday 5:34pm at West Houston Medical Center and Dr La via normal delivery. Mother and baby doing fine. Experience was fabulous all the way, from prenatal visits to the delivery itself and 2 days postpartum stay in the hospital.

I will be happy to answer any question regarding the hospital and doctor.

I wish all expectant mums a safe delivery.

Congrats to u Kween and welcome to ur new baby. Please can u share a breakdown of your expenses? I will b using WHMC too but with Dr Huynh. Did u do circumcision? Was it well done and how much was it?

Hello again,
Dr Risq attended to me for 2 days in postpartum when my doctor was off duty. He seemed nice sha very elderly, he reminded me of my dad who was also a doctor.
WHMC is a very nice hospital tho, single occupancy rooms for you so you have your privacy. My room in labour & delivery fine for my eyes so the, I told the nurses I wanted to leave the room because I was afraid they would bill me more. The nurses that attended to me that night were nigerians, they just laughed at my "bushness". Lol anyway they have good staff that's what am trying to say.

The prices they gave you are already discounted for self-pay but you will get a discount for pathology(labs) and ultrasound if you ask. If you don't ask, they will chop your money and clean mouth. Epidurl is $1200 if u don't ask for discount, the bill will be almost $4k.

I wish you safe delivery mama.
Cheers

upgradedmom:
Congrats Kween2014 and Twizzie.
@Kween, I can see PetMe has already asked you some questions on WHMC. Please I am interested in your response as I will also be using WHMC. I am however using Dr Rizk (he seems not be to be popular on this thread, I wonder why!) what was your experience at WHMC. Were you able to negotiate for discounts as a self paying patient?

Hello everyone,
Pls has anyone flown arik air in recent times and wat is the maximum weeks dey allow pregnant women fly?
I have my ticket already to new York using arik air and I ll be 32 wiks on the date of travel...Pls advise me cos Ve heard that they bounce people alot.thanks.

Hi Bloggerina,
Thanx alot for the info, pls I also intend to use Dr huynh at WHMC av mailed her n waitin for reply.
Where did u stay after delivery dat is apartment or wt family over dr. Pls if rented apartment kindly help wt info for anyone close to the hospital.

Teemotun:
Hello everyone,
Pls has anyone flown arik air in recent times and wat is the maximum weeks dey allow pregnant women fly?
I have my ticket already to new York using arik air and I ll be 32 wiks on the date of travel...Pls advise me cos Ve heard that they bounce people alot.thanks.

Please don't fly arik, my cousin was bounced at the airport on Sunday at 31 weeks 4 days despite the fact that she had her fit to fly letter. She was also headed for New York.

Check page 104/105 for sample of budget sheet by phema...I don't know abt that of letter but I think u will just compose and send ur message to *consularabuja@state.gov if its Abuja or lagosNIV@state.gov if its Lagos....or goggle lagosniv or abujaniv[Quote author=TANZILA post=28128889]Hello everyone,

Please could anyone post a sample of the letter usually sent to the embassy (when you already have your visa and have intention of having a baby) and also a budget sample? Thanks[/quote]

Teemotun:
Hello everyone,
Pls has anyone flown arik air in recent times and wat is the maximum weeks dey allow pregnant women fly?
I have my ticket already to new York using arik air and I ll be 32 wiks on the date of travel...Pls advise me cos Ve heard that they bounce people alot.thanks.

Are pregnant.
In the case of pregnant passengers, Arik Air will not transport a passenger expecting delivery in excess of their 33rd week of pregnancy. If the passenger is between 28 weeks and 33 weeks of pregnancy, the passenger must provide a doctor's certificate dated within 72 hours of departure stating that the passenger has been examined and found to be physically fit for transportation from departure to arrival city on the date the passenger has a confirmed ticketed resevation and the estimated time/date for birth of the baby.

Phew !!!!!! I finally got to the last page and last post....Kudos to me after 2 straight months of stuffing my preggy brain with info. I must say i salute all the contributors and moderators here. A big THANK YOU for the time and the patience in answering all questions posted. You guys have done extremely well for newbies and ignoramos like me! Congrats to all the new mamas and about to be mamas.....The good Lord will see us all through and our labour of love will never go to waste. Please two things i need clarification on...1. The question US contact on my visa form... pls do i put my doctors name and organization as my us contact or do i use a relatives name. 2. I intend using Dr Fagbohun..pls do i have to contact oakbend hospital myself for documentation purposes for embassy use or am I ok with Dr Fagbohuns email correspondences. Thanks and God bless!

Kween2014:
Hello Petme and upgradedmom, apologies for the late response, it's baby duties . WHMC is 2500 for vaginal and 4000 for CS. Please be aware that this is already discounted for a self pay patient on the condition that you make full payment before you are discharged... Please this is very crucial. This is inclusive of Bill for mum and baby as long as there are no complications, I had no reason to pay extra at all.

Like I mentioned earlier, I used Dr la so I don't really have any information on other Drs who use the hospital.

I had a baby girl so I did not circumcise. My paediatrician is Dr Zietz who is also really amazing and took care of my baby throughout our 2 days stay in the hospital.

All in all, my experience was amazing, nurses were sooo helpful and supportive before and after baby.

Hope this helps.

@Kween thanks a lot. Of course it helps alot. Good to hear firsthand experience. How much did u pay ur paediatrician including all the newborn tests? Did u use epidural?

bloggerina:
Hello,
Dr Huynh did my son's circumcision for $255. She uses the g-clamp method. It was fantastic, I have no complaints at all. Her instructions on circ care were very good too. The thing healed very fast, I never saw my baby in pain.

Thanks a lot Blogger. This is so reassuring cuz she explained the process to me but since I knew nothg about circumcision I couldn't tell if it was good. Did u pay an extra fee to the hospital for circumcision? The hospital says dey charge 150$ for circumcission hospital bill only. So will it add up on Dr Huynh 's 255$ or this is already included in the 255$?

PetMe13:

@Kween thanks a lot. Of course it helps alot. Good to hear firsthand experience. How much did u pay ur paediatrician including all the newborn tests? Did u use epidural?

For now, I have only paid 189$ to my ped for all the care and tests while in the hospital. This fee is discounted as long as you pay within 1 week of discharge. However, he will be seeing my baby in 2 weeks, I don't know what that cost will be yet.

As for epidural, no I didn't but Its 1200$ and I hear it can be discounted also.

HI Everyone,
Pls is anyone using WHMC and if yes I want to know about close accommodation there, reasonably prised short term apartments. Thnx

Please could anyone post a sample of the letter usually sent to the embassy (when you already have your visa and have intention of having a baby) and also a budget sample? Thanks[/quote]

Good day, My names are bleep formerly bleep(maiden name) with passport number *******. My family and I applied for a non-immigrant visa into the US for vacation. We applied July 2013 and we were granted. We also went for our vacation in the month of October 2013 and came back.

I am writing to inform you now that we have plans for me to go there to have my baby as I am pregnant now. I was not pregnant during my interview/when I got my visa.

We will be paying for all our bills and get receipts as we do not intend to get any medicare/ medical aid.

Just to inform you.

Thank you and hope to get a reply.

Mercy.

Good day Mrs. Anene,

Thank you for your email.
There is no legal requirement to inform us that you are seeking medical treatment in the United States. However, you should be prepared to demonstrate to the immigration officer at the port of entry why you are seeking medical treatment and that you have logistical and financial plans for the treatment. The Customs and Border Protection, a branch of USCIS, determines a traveler’s eligibility of entry to the U.S.


Sincerely,

Correspondence Unit (hok)
US CONSULATE GENERAL
LAGOS, NIGERIA

This is the letter i sent and also their response. Kindly send a letter that suits your situation i.e if you applied for vacation and changed your mind for childbirth, or applied before you took in and now want to go for childbirth...i hope this helps.Note-My passport is still in my maiden name

Sample of budget sheet

@Kween2014,thanks for the update. It was helpful. Cheers.

@Bloggerina, thanks so much for the update. It was helpful.
Lol @ 'bushiness tins'.

Kween2014:


For now, I have only paid 189$ to my ped for all the care and tests while in the hospital. This fee is discounted as long as you pay within 1 week of discharge. However, he will be seeing my baby in 2 weeks, I don't know what that cost will be yet.

As for epidural, no I didn't but Its 1200$ and I hear it can be discounted also.

Thanks a lot dear. God bless u

Hello all. Just to share another experience as i prepare to leave Elpaso. Got my baby BC and passport already but didn't get the SSN. So i decided to go to the Social Security Administration office in Elpaso today. This was almost three weeks since the hospital DESOL MEDICAL file the BC and SSN. Discovered that my baby has been allocated a SSN but i have not received the card. I was ask to show 1. The BC 2. Identity as the father - My nigeria passport 3. The immunisation card.(This is the card that mark every vaccination or immunisation that the baby was given).Initially i didn't take this along, and had to come back for it. So at the end, a receipt was given to me that the SSN card will come in 2weeks time. So if you have not gotten your baby's SSN and it's over 3weeks, please go to the administration office. You can google their offices and see the one that is closer to you.

Hi Phoenix mamas and mamas to be. Pls does any one know of any cheap accomodation around MIHS that is less than $700/month that i can book for without an American iID card and SSN. Pls i need info urgently. Thanks

Hmmm, that hospital circ fee of $150 can be deceptive. In yankee they actually consider circ to be a procedure (surgery) for babies so they will bill you accordingly. If you go with the 150 offer you see on that their paper, you will eventually realise that $150 is just the hospital's fee, u will get a separate bill from the doctor that performs the circ + a separate bill for the anaesthesia too. That's 3 payments. So letting your obgyn do your baby's circ if that option exists is by far your best bet and wayyyy cheaper too. Dr huynh will charge you $255 only and that's all. No extra bill from hospital or anywhere.
A friend of mine that used the $150 hospital offer ended up spending $800 by the time all the bills came so she's the one that explained to me and told me to just respect myself and stick with my obgyn's circ. I was glad I took her advise.

By the way, one extra tip for you - the pediatricians recommended/suggested by dr huynh's office are highly discounted (because the have smth like a partnership with her) and cheaper that the hospital's pedi. So as soon as you are admitted for delivery or as soon as your baby comes out, make sure you tell dem your pediatrian's name. Tell every doctor & nurse attending to you o. If you don't name any specific pedi, the hospital will assign you one by default and the bill will be gangsterrr!
All the best mama.

PetMe13:


Thanks a lot Blogger. This is so reassuring cuz she explained the process to me but since I knew nothg about circumcision I couldn't tell if it was good. Did u pay an extra fee to the hospital for circumcision? The hospital says dey charge 150$ for circumcission hospital bill only. So will it add up on Dr Huynh 's 255$ or this is already included in the 255$?