@ Phema,

Very big congratulations, of course the baby had to come in a miraculous way because you have been a miracle for everyone all the way from the first hundred threads of this forum.

God bless the child and please keep updating us cos some of us might like to port to Phoenix and use your hospital.

Take Care

KayLayChi:
Congrats to Phema and Akelvin... May God bless and keep your baby.

Phema's story should be an eye opener for some of us planning to travel after 36 weeks. If she could have her baby at 36+5 then it can happen to anyone.

I must leave this country before the 36th week to avoid stories that touch, it will be sad to give birth in Nigeria after all the stress of getting visa not forgetting the fact that the tickets would have been bought.

I brought this up because a lot of us will read that story and not take note of the lessons. Please let's endeavour to travel before our 36th month. I will rather resume work with a 2 month old baby that have my baby in this country with all the uncertainties. Just my 2cents...

You are so correct! Hubby kept telling me to leave earlier, say at 34weeks, but I felt everything was fine and that baby couldn't come earlier than 38weeks.

Congrats Phema and Akelvin.
God bless you and your bundles of joy, now and always Amen.

@ Phema,
Baby is a cutie...
So glad you received all the care and attention you needed.
Makes d whole thing worth it.

bloggerina:
Yipeeeee! Phema of life! Congrats mama. Your baby is soooo cute! Some babies just decide to jump out sooner than expected. Hope you even had enough time to shop b4 u popped. Lol

My sister, welcome to motherhood o - a full time job with no sleep, no off-days, no leave, no retirement, no gratuity (hopefully you get pensions sha) but with all the joy & fulfilment in the world!

We thank God for all the safe deliveries here, may God bless and keep your families. ***popping bottles of groundnut in celebration

Lol. You've got the perfect definition for motherhood. But the joy in it all makes the sleepless nights seem like nothing.

Shop ke? I was barely out of jetlag when contractions started na. I had just few things. Thank God for my lovely flat mates who helped me do some basic shopping. Did the rest online when I was discharged.

damsell:
Many many congrats to you both @akelvin and phema, your stories are nothing short of joyful and may ur new bundles of joy never cease to be just that in ur lives. Pls for you all planning to reschedule ur flights back home, how easy is it? Cos I'm done with my baby's documentation and tried to reschedule my flight only to be quoted a cost that is as ridiculous as it is expensive. It's a United airlines ticket I booked and for both my mum n I, I was given a price quote of about 500k so as it stands, it seems I am stuck here with baby till 2nd week of Jan. pls if anyone knows of any other less costly way I can go about moving my flight earlier, I'll appreciate it. Thanks

500k?? The person no go kuku do one way? Them no serious. Unfortunately, I really don't know United Airline's policy as regards rescheduling flights. I think BA charges $100. Not sure though.

pattyreal:
Ma Phema of life! Oya bettr answer ur mails & all. I was sooooo worried! Thank God 4 everytin. He's sooooooo cute. So happy 4 u.

Abeg, no vex. Will check my mail and reply ASAP.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes. It will continue to be success stories for us all IJN.

Phema ooooo phema oooo phemaaaaaaaaaaa congratulationsssssssss

I love you, baby daddy and baby

Congrats phema! Finally its over....To God b d glory.
@akelvin, congrats.am tapping seriously into ur testimony cos 2hrs labour has always been my prayer nd with ur testimony mine is done.

Thanks a million dear,

so Grateful

Shawbabe:


Go ahead and renew the exact category u had. The POE officers will stamp B1 or B2 for u when u land. So yes, apply for the same type of visa u previously had.

@Sayoberry,

I wish you the best.

Please can I have email addy and phone number of the agent for the extended stay apartment.

sayoberry:
good morning o. been so zsilent.
toh. so it went like this

firs


t this woman was just denying everyone else and i was sos so praying that she would not interview me. na so she juat called next person and i was there in front of her . she put up a short smiled and then back to her straight face.

Vo: where are u going in the US
me; houston texas
vo; oh what for
vo; to have my babies
vo; where would you be staying in the us
me;an extended stay apartment(gives her copy of rent package and email convo from the agent)
vo; how long are you staying
me: 3 months. I'm required to fly early because its twins
vo; did you contact any doctor
me; yes i did (gives her all l documents for hospital)
vo; oh I see. who is sponsoring this trip
me; my husband and I
vo; where does he work
me; bla bla (hands her my bank statement and huby's letter of appointment)
she then takes a loooonnngg look at the statement and my fixed deposit letter which I already liquidated.

then brings out a white paper. I was already smiling when I saw it.
vo; your application needs further processing. we will contact you when we are through (hands over my passport and other documents but keeps my bank statement)
me; how would you contact me.
vo; we will call or send a mail.
I say thank you and leave

pls who has gone thru this before. I'm really scared and confused.

Phema! Congratulations dearie, may he always be a source of Joy, can't wait for BB no 2 and 3 and... . Kisses to your angel.

Phema o phema! Our phema of life ! We bless God for the wonderful birth story of your son. You are one strong woman. I was beginning to wonder where you disappeared to for somedays. You son looks do adorable. I just love the hair.Mummy Phema did a great job. Make i begin dey book son -in law down for the future

Hi mama's and papas in d house,pls I need an assistance, I'm planning on giving birth in Dallas ,I hav family there,pls I need any info on contacting a doctor in Dallas and cost if possible.. Pls wld b waiting for a response..tnk u all..

byvan:
Phema! Congratulations dearie, may he always be a source of Joy, can't wait for BB no 2 and 3 and... . Kisses to your angel.

Now, I don't like you very much.

kingsdaughter:
Phema o phema! Our phema of life ! We bless God for the wonderful birth story of your son. You are one strong woman. I was beginning to wonder where you disappeared to for somedays. You son looks do adorable. I just love the hair.Mummy Phema did a great job. Make i begin dey book son -in law down for the future

Join the queue.
Thanks Ma'am.

Phema:


Now, I don't like you very much.

Hehehehe... actually you just liked me more without knowing it. I will add it to my daily prayer point .

See nose!
Phema, baby gi amaka
Eewh!

byvan:




Hehehehe... actually you just liked me more without knowing it. I will add it to my daily prayer point .

Haba..madam make she heal small na...no kill my yellow paw paw with too much blessing oo

Phema darling, don't mind them jare...na one year off we give you ooo...next year na octuplets AMEN!

cutielucy:
Hi mama's and papas in d house,pls I need an assistance, I'm planning on giving birth in Dallas ,I hav family there,pls I need any info on contacting a doctor in Dallas and cost if possible.. Pls wld b waiting for a response..tnk u all..

You can google Dr Dennis Abass, someone said here that his fees are $2400 for doctor and hospital is $3000. You can also check out JPS in fort worth. Hope this helps

Phema of life! No more groundnut chopping because you have your hands full now

I am so happy for you! God bless your LO and more good news and joy on the thread!

oluwafunkenny:

@Sayoberry,

I wish you the best.

Please can I have email addy and phone number of the agent for the extended stay apartment.

the apartment is one room, dinning, laundry, toilet, kitchen and a balcony. and it goes for $925 per month. ill send you mail

Idowuogbo:

Haba..madam make she heal small na...no kill my yellow paw paw with too much blessing oo

Phema darling, don't mind them jare...na one year off we give you ooo...next year na octuplets AMEN!

One year is too generous, she resumes duty 6months tops .

@babatwi,tnx a whole lot,it helps greatly..trying 2 contact the them now...God bless

byvan:
Hehehehe... actually you just liked me more without knowing it. I will add it to my daily prayer point .

Idowuogbo:
Phema darling, don't mind them jare...na one year off we give you ooo...next year na octuplets AMEN!

See them. Enemies of progress.

Wow! Wonderful testimony

Congratulations

Regards

Phema:
And that was how Phema became a mum of a BBB on the 5th of Dec, 2014! My boy came at exactly 36weeks+5days!

This tori long no be small. Make I sha start from somewhere.

Got into Phoenix on the 25th of Nov and went for my financial appointment the next day. Afterwards, I went to book for Dr's appointment, but the lady in charge had closed for the day. They worked half day that day cos the next day was Thanksgiving. So, I was told to call after the Holidays to book for Dr's appointment.

I called and was given 11th of Dec to see the Dr. I tried explaining to the lady that I was far gone and would be 37weeks plus at the time and that I really needed to see the Dr ASAP. But she insisted that was the earliest I could get. That they were fully booked. I asked what to do if I fell into labour before the said date, and she said I should go straight to the Labour and Delivery department.

Some days after, I started having some labour-like symptoms. I just ignored them cos I felt baby could not come that early as all the scans I did back in Naija never gave an inkling of baby coming that early. Well, I was wrong, cos the contractions became stronger the next day. Called MIHS labour and delivery unit to ask what to do. Was transfered to a Nurse who advised to watch and time the contractions. And to come in when they become stronger and close together.

I still couldn't believe it was labour though. I just sat at home and kept watching and timing till it became almost unbearable. I went in and found I was already 4cm dilated. For my mind, I say huh! Just like that? So, na person mama I wan be today today so. It was both scary and exciting. They checked and said my fluid was low and baby was quite small. Asked for my medical records and I told them I had not even seen a Dr here. They asked if I had any scan from Naija. Fortunately, I had one which showed I was 36weeks plus 3days gone. The lady ran a quick scan and said she was getting about 34weeks. I insisted I was 36weeks plus.

That was the moment they started running all the tests that could have been run on my first appointment. Took me to the labour room and called the NICU people to be on stand by as they were expecting a "Premie".

I requested for epidural. Was given and it felt heavenly! At some point, the baby's heart beat dropped and I saw the highest number of Drs in my whole life in just a second. One was giving me oxygen, the other was breaking my water (my water had not broken at that time). Others were sha operating plenty equipments. I was so so scared and pratically shivering all through. They managed the situation and told me not to worry. That my baby was doing great.

Then I became 10cm dilated and the pushing began. Hehehehehehehe. No be small something. Couldn't push well cos I wasn't feeling my contractions cos of the epidural. I was merely wasting my energy, thinking baby will soon pop out. After awhile of wasted effort, the Nurse advised that the epidural be put off so I could feel my contractions and know when to push. That was done and it took effect after about an hour 30mins.

I will jump and pass the pushing part. The pain! Oh the pain! I cringe anytime I remember. Was wondering how God will let anyone go through such pains. Chei! I said and did things I can't even remember. The Drs and Nurses were so so nice and patient. And kept urging me on. Hmmn. . . The pain. . .

Fastforward. . . Baby eventually came and the NICU people were already on ground to evaluate him. They did, said he was doing ok but since he is preterm, they will need to do extensive evaluation. At that point, I called their Chief and told her that I didn't want my child put in NICU if there wasn't any serious issues. She assured me that the child will be brought back to me in about an hour if he passed all his tests. As God would have it, he did pass them. And he was brought back. I was so happy.

Everything went well from then onwards. Truth is, I never expected the kind of services I got. It was awesome!! Everyone seemed way too nice and professional! They kept coming every 30mins to check up on me and baby. Kept asking if I needed anything and all that. I didn't use anything I went to the Hospital with as they provided everything needed by mum and child. I was just too impressed abeg. I couldn't believe I got all that for just $2888.

Na so Phema waka become Mama born-boy! I'm just really grateful to God for everything. It could have only been Him. Baby is doing so great. Mum is still sore here and there, but she's getting better. However, nothing prepared me for these sleepless nights mehn. I dey on duty all the time. Hope it gets better with time.

And that was my experience. Got the baby's BC and already applied for his US passport at the Post Office. Once I'm done with the documentation, I'm sure rescheduling my flight and going home much earlier.

CC:
Jennykadry
Alutacontinua
Byvan
Moca
Edwife

Lol!

Thank you so much for ur encouraging words o

Regards

isysleek:
Congrats Phema and akelvin! God bless and keep you and your LOs.

@bj2012golf, God will favour u and ur wife! The visas are urs already. We await ur success story!

Hmm

Congratulations, God keep Mum n baby safe n sound

Regards

akelvin:
Congrats phema thank God for d safe delivery n ur LO.came to post my experience also.
Had my little one at 39weeks d whole process was fast from contraction to birth less tha 2hrs, my water broke rushed to d hospital I was already 7cm before the nurses culd pull injection n what are u I was already pushing they were sending for d doctor baby was out n they were all congratulating me dat was really fast culdnt document nothing.so d doctor said I didn take d prescribed injection cos of how fast everything went need to keep my baby in special care for observation n I told him pls d baby should b kept with me(in my mind as I knw d package didn cover dat)n he said no problem.all test was done n baby was fully fine.like phema said my nurses were amazing abt 5-7nurses on me during labour all doing a different thing n one just encouraging me I can do it cos no epidural...lol,they were really wonderful even d ward kept asking over n over if I needed anything.i didnt like a particular food told my nurse n she got me something else.n like phema has said didn use anything I went with all was provided.d package was over worth it n I give God all thanks.
Applied for passport thru post office paid expedited n overnight priority mail n d passport came exactly 1wk2days so heading for visa nw n shifting my flight earlier than scheduled.@madameu:thank u so much for d help oo much appreciated n regards to d other mum I met at east oak.

Phema:
Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes. It will continue to be success stories for us all IJN.

Congrats Sis!!!

Congratulations dear @akelvin and phema, we bless God for your safe delivery, May he keep them for you both IJN. Amen...

Thanks a whole lot everyone for d congratulatory messages, prayers, wishes n all give all glory to God. much appreciated

@bj2012; God has done it for u cos is already sealed in heaven.await ur good news.

@damsell:dat is really high . I'm using emirates is not more than $100 to change but want to call n confirm cos d date we intend changing it to d fare is higher than what we paid so we don't know if we will ave to pay d extra increased priced or not.