₦airaland Forum

Happymum:
Good afternoon everyone. Please I intend using MIHS in phoenix for birthing because I am expecting twins and the quotes I have seen and gotten from other hospitals so far have been scary. My confusion now is concerning accommodation, I need an accommodation that can take my mum,my toddler and myself and then the twins when they arrive.Also, my husband will be joining us early august( I am due to arrive phoenix next month). I am considering legacy suites,palm shadows or crossland. Please can anyone advice me which will be better?i am really confuse,spent 2days worrying over this issue.

Also, please at the Poe will I be allowed to carry yam, beans,crayfish, oil,etc ?what foods are forbidden please. Thank you so much, please eagerly awaiting answers please

shirley013:
Pls Mamas in the house who has gone back to Nigeria with United Airlines. Pls I want to know how strict they are cause I see myself having excess luggage. So I know what to expect.

aadeg:
It depends on your budget and mode of transportation. If you will have/rent a car and drive (with an international driver's license), then distance may not be a factor. If not, cab costs can get expensive the farther away from the hospital/doctor/shops. Palm shadows is located closer to the hospital, but I'm not sure if they still enforce their max 2 person/room policy.

Happymum:
Good afternoon everyone. Please I intend using MIHS in phoenix for birthing because I am expecting twins and the quotes I have seen and gotten from other hospitals so far have been scary. My confusion now is concerning accommodation, I need an accommodation that can take my mum,my toddler and myself and then the twins when they arrive.Also, my husband will be joining us early august( I am due to arrive phoenix next month). I am considering legacy suites,palm shadows or crossland. Please can anyone advice me which will be better?i am really confuse,spent 2days worrying over this issue.

Also, please at the Poe will I be allowed to carry yam, beans,crayfish, oil,etc ?what foods are forbidden please. Thank you so much, please eagerly awaiting answers please

oluwafunkenny:
Hello house,

It's been a while, waiting for arrival of my precious.
Just to drop some comments for those that it might be useful for.

2. For Houston bound mothers checking means of transportation, check Google maps to see if your accomodation is within metro bus area. My apartment has metro bus stop in its front and have been plying that for all my prenatal, shopping and tourism. With the metro card of single swipe-$1.25 you are entitled to to-trips of within 3hours. That means you can visit more than one place with the fund depending on how long you are spending there. I have been able to really save money on tfare with this, though it is slow cos of various stops but am not always time bound in my journeys. I have only spent 20$ to transport boxes of diaper, wipes and other loads from mall to shipper.

3. I was able to open BOA account with my intl passport and visa page. A temporary card that is valid for one month was given same day with internet and other things for seemless transaction. I got my permanent card the second week and it's been working.

That is all for now.

Nice day

The results have been collated from Chicago.
But before I announce the winners, I will read the reports from the RECs of various hospitals.

My journey started with one Family Health Centre in Northside I saw online that bragged of discounted prenatal care and ob gyn services including delivery. I got there and was referred to a navigator who wanted me to apply for one govt program for preggies. I told her okay, and told her I will be back, and moved on.

The following week, I dusted my bathroom slippers and headed to Southside. It was like travelling from Lagos to Ibadan. On getting there, I found two really cheap hospitals. St. Bernard Hosp was $4200 for CS (all inclusive minus doc and paed fees) the other was Roseland Community Hospital, $3700 package price for CS, minus paed but you have to look for a doctor yourself. I think both were like $2500 for normal delivery.
The doctors I saw refused to take self pay patients saying that we cannot afford them and still wanted me to take the dreaded but awfully tempting govt programme for preggies. I finally found a doctor that charged $4000 for CS and $3200 for normal delivery, payable before 36 weeks (that's about $8k for me, not bad!) I kept his contact and continued the ultimate search.

I was tempted to stop there but decided to make a few more enquiries.
St Joseph: $6k for CS (without doc, paed and anaestician fees), $4,500 for normal

Northwestern: $25k for mum, $5k for baby, without professional fees) for CS

Rush: $20k without prof fees for CS

Mercy Hosp: $7,800 for CS, without prof fees ($3900 payable on registration, balance before 38 weeks)

Then finally John H. Stroger hospital of Cook County. The Rivers and Akwa Ibom state of them all. As soon as I walked in, they asked me to go to registration. I want to enquire about pricing. They say go to Financial assistance. At the F.A office, they ask for your bill.
I don't have a bill, I want to enquire about pricing.
Do you have insurance?
No.
Do you want to register for one of our financial aid programmes?
No. I want to know how much for CS delivery.
We don't give out pricing here, go to Billing.

I head to Billing. Same barrade of questions. Finally, the truth comes out. We don't give out estimates, we can't give you a bill till after your treatment and discharge. If you don't apply for financial assistance, you will be responsible for your full bill.
Oh boy, see one chance.
So I ask people in my circle, a lot have used cook county. One was charged $18k for complicated VB with 2 extra days, another $40k for complicated CS delivery of twin babies. Also Cook County also charges for mother and baby separately, like North Western. Who will I believe now? Jega is confused!

So, tentatively, here is the result. I'm looking at the SS hosp with the package of $3700, and the Doc fees of $4000. I may change my mind sha and head for cook county if I can get concrete proof that I won't get $100k bill at the end of the day

I will still check out a couple of other hospitals, Swedish Convenant, St. Francis, St. Anthony for the benefit of information and share. Most of the prices I hear are not so bad for routine pregnancies with Normal delivery. I am even resorting to prayers to have normal delivery o! Cos these CS prices are giving me an ear ache.

So there you have it. I was able to find a package of $7,700 + $300 or so for paed here in chicago. Kudos to those who assisted my search, all the PMs and directions, all of you rock!

If you ever think of heading to Chicago, PM me, let's visit Hong Kong Buffet together and eat till we can eat no more!

One love, and God bless America!!!

Gagat:
Hello everyone,
Please does anyone know any good and cheap hospital and Dr for delivery in BOSTON? Pls somebody help me asap.
Thanks so much

iolite88:
Congrats to the new Mama's in the house thank God for safe delivery. Have been dolling this thread for over 2 years and TTC God has finally smiled on me and I got my BFP this week. Please I have a few questions
1. Am about 4 weeks gone is it too early to start talking to a hospital/Dr in the US?
2. Is it too early to send the embassy a change of intent mail? My husband and I got our visa in 2014 and went on vacation with it in May last year.
3. With the way things are now my EDD is early Jan 2016 and my visa expires in early Feb would this be an issue at POS?
4. Does anyone have experience with having to extend their visa while in the US due to late arrival of baby and other reasons?
Please house an counting on you for response so I can start discussing my options with hubby. He doesn't like complications and if the Visa thing will bring complications he would rather I don't go and get banned for over staying.

nefertitiram:
The results have been collated from Chicago.
But before I announce the winners, I will read the reports from the RECs of various hospitals.

My journey started with one Family Health Centre in Northside I saw online that bragged of discounted prenatal care and ob gyn services including delivery. I got there and was referred to a navigator who wanted me to apply for one govt program for preggies. I told her okay, and told her I will be back, and moved on.

The following week, I dusted my bathroom slippers and headed to Southside. It was like travelling from Lagos to Ibadan. On getting there, I found two really cheap hospitals. St. Bernard Hosp was $4200 for CS (all inclusive minus doc and paed fees) the other was Roseland Community Hospital, $3700 package price for CS, minus paed but you have to look for a doctor yourself. I think both were like $2500 for normal delivery.
The doctors I saw refused to take self pay patients saying that we cannot afford them and still wanted me to take the dreaded but awfully tempting govt programme for preggies. I finally found a doctor that charged $4000 for CS and $3200 for normal delivery, payable before 36 weeks (that's about $8k for me, not bad!) I kept his contact and continued the ultimate search.

I was tempted to stop there but decided to make a few more enquiries.
St Joseph: $6k for CS (without doc, paed and anaestician fees), $4,500 for normal

Northwestern: $25k for mum, $5k for baby, without professional fees) for CS

Rush: $20k without prof fees for CS

Mercy Hosp: $7,800 for CS, without prof fees ($3900 payable on registration, balance before 38 weeks)

Then finally John H. Stroger hospital of Cook County. The Rivers and Akwa Ibom state of them all. As soon as I walked in, they asked me to go to registration. I want to enquire about pricing. They say go to Financial assistance. At the F.A office, they ask for your bill.
I don't have a bill, I want to enquire about pricing.
Do you have insurance?
No.
Do you want to register for one of our financial aid programmes?
No. I want to know how much for CS delivery.
We don't give out pricing here, go to Billing.

I head to Billing. Same barrade of questions. Finally, the truth comes out. We don't give out estimates, we can't give you a bill till after your treatment and discharge. If you don't apply for financial assistance, you will be responsible for your full bill.
Oh boy, see one chance.
So I ask people in my circle, a lot have used cook county. One was charged $18k for complicated VB with 2 extra days, another $40k for complicated CS delivery of twin babies. Another set claim they paid $7k plus for CS delivery, and $5k plus for VB. Who will I believe now? Jega is confused!

So, tentatively, here is the result. I'm looking at the SS hosp with the package of $3700, and the Doc fees of $4000. I may change my mind sha and head for cook county if I can get concrete proof that I won't get $100k bill at the end of the day

I will still check out a couple of other hospitals, Swedish Convenant, Mount Sinai, St. Anthony for the benefit of information and share. Most of the prices I hear are not so bad for routine pregnancies with Normal delivery. I am even resorting to prayers to have normal delivery o! Cos these CS prices are giving me an ear ache.

So there you have it. I was able to find a package of $7,700 + $300 or so for paed here in chicago. Kudos to those who assisted my search, all the PMs and directions, all of you rock!

If you ever think of heading to Chicago, PM me, let's visit Hong Kong Buffet together and eat till we can eat no more!

One love, and God bless America!!!

sucre26:
Well done my sister. You really tried. I envy your dedication and strength. God bless you for sharing.

I've made a decision to go to Maryland and Wil be using Dr Chaudrt. Any mom to be in MD can contact me for hook ups and shopping to while away time. Il be staying In Baltimore.

dere5:
Pls a friend wants to know if its possible to edit the DS 160 visa application page after you have submited it and gotten appointment date. Pls anyone with useful info help.

ozycy:
thanks for all the info. I have questions 1) which hospital and doctor are U using? 2) I need info on ur accommodation 3) how did U obtain the metro card or where did U buy it? When I used metro bus, I was paying $2.50 one way. Thanks

Nita2013:
Hello Happymum, u can try Extended Stay east oak, Ocotillo apartments or Monterra. They r very close to d hospital and affordable. But for Ocotillo u av to rent some things eg TV et all. Monterra to d best of my knowledge is not furnished too but Extended stay eaast oak has got everything just like crossland.m crossland is a bit far from d hospital (I stayed in crossland) it's about 1hr from d hospital by bus but 15mins by cab but trust us naija women (we were up to 15 in Crossland at that time) we were usin bus for appointments but used cab mostly after delivery. Some still used bus after delivery too.

For things to carry pls do not carry yam. Like Tvegas said palm oil is prohibited as well. U can get big bottle of palm oil for $14. Anything containing chicken is prohibited eg chicken indomie, chicken Maggi etc though some pple her went in with them freely but For me I wud rather play by d rules to avoid any story. Cheers

Nita2013:
If u want somewhere close to shopping center then extended. Stay east. Oak it is. It's almost adjacent to walmart, target, burlington etc so u ll just walk in. But for d big stores, it's far so u ll take a bus.

quote author=Happymum post=33494453]
Thanks for your response. I doubt the driving aspect so I may have to use public transport at least until my husband arrives. Somewhere closer to shopping centers and restaurants is what I have in mind since I won't be going to the hospital daily but will love to always be able to do window shopping and occasionally real shopping.
Thanks

Happymum:
Good afternoon everyone. Please I intend using MIHS in phoenix for birthing because I am expecting twins and the quotes I have seen and gotten from other hospitals so far have been scary. My confusion now is concerning accommodation, I need an accommodation that can take my mum,my toddler and myself and then the twins when they arrive.Also, my husband will be joining us early august( I am due to arrive phoenix next month). I am considering legacy suites,palm shadows or crossland. Please can anyone advice me which will be better?i am really confuse,spent 2days worrying over this issue.

Also, please at the Poe will I be allowed to carry yam, beans,crayfish, oil,etc ?what foods are forbidden please. Thank you so much, please eagerly awaiting answers please

aye88:
Hi all
Had my baby girl 3weeks ago at Inova alexandria. Sorry my post comin late. My hands been full.
So for anyone considering the Maryland, Virginia axis, this is a place to try. They give 50percent discount for self pay for 2day VD and3day stay CS. My doctors fee was 2500. Excellent service from the doctor. Hospital service was great too. I will adivice whoever wants to use this hospital to get their own peadritrician though cos it's not included in the bill and hospital peadritican is far more expensive.
I'm willing to answer questions from the Maryland or Virginia mum's to be.

Nita2013:
Hello Happymum, u can try Extended Stay east oak, Ocotillo apartments or Monterra. They r very close to d hospital and affordable. But for Ocotillo u av to rent some things eg TV et all. Monterra to d best of my knowledge is not furnished too but Extended stay eaast oak has got everything just like crossland.m crossland is a bit far from d hospital (I stayed in crossland) it's about 1hr from d hospital by bus but 15mins by cab but trust us naija women (we were up to 15 in Crossland at that time) we were usin bus for appointments but used cab mostly after delivery. Some still used bus after delivery too.

For things to carry pls do not carry yam. Like Tvegas said palm oil is prohibited as well. U can get big bottle of palm oil for $14. Anything containing chicken is prohibited eg chicken indomie, chicken Maggi etc though some pple her went in with them freely but For me I wud rather play by d rules to avoid any story. Cheers

Nita2013:
Hello Happymum, u can try Extended Stay east oak, Ocotillo apartments or Monterra. They r very close to d hospital and affordable. But for Ocotillo u av to rent some things eg TV et all. Monterra to d best of my knowledge is not furnished too but Extended stay eaast oak has got everything just like crossland.m crossland is a bit far from d hospital (I stayed in crossland) it's about 1hr from d hospital by bus but 15mins by cab but trust us naija women (we were up to 15 in Crossland at that time) we were usin bus for appointments but used cab mostly after delivery. Some still used bus after delivery too.

For things to carry pls do not carry yam. Like Tvegas said palm oil is prohibited as well. U can get big bottle of palm oil for $14. Anything containing chicken is prohibited eg chicken indomie, chicken Maggi etc though some pple her went in with them freely but For me I wud rather play by d rules to avoid any story. Cheers

I have always wanted to use the best Doctors and Medical facilities and have Americana kids since I missed being a Britico...lol. When I found out I was Peggy for my first child in Jan 2012 i was glad I started planning but God had his own plan. I was moved from my Abuja office to Lome, Togo office in April 2012 so I had little or no time to apply for visa and I was so busy with office work travelling up and down.

When I got to Lome it took me time to settle down since Hubby was still in Nigeria working (we have always ran two homes -Abuja and Lagos which changed to Lome and Lagos). I found an International Hospital (Clinque Saint Joseph) and registered for antenatal. I remember I recommended to Chigozirim on this thread last year when her visa was revoked because the treatment I got there was nothing close to the rubbish we see in Nigeria. When they say check up they means business and give their patients adequate attention with proper treatment.
This made me to relax and forget my American dream, but after I had my daughter and found out that my office project grant wasn't going to be renewed after Dec 2013, I quickly started my plans of getting a US visa which I got in Lome easily since I was considered as a staff of an International NGO working and living in Lome. (As a Nigerian they will always want to find out why you didn't apply in your country). It was a family visa and we were supposed to use it for vacation in Sept 2013 which didn't come to pass cos my Hubby and I were both busy with office work.

In 2014 I had moved back to Lagos, got admission for my MSc and was busy with school throughout 2014, a family friend sent us the link of this thread in March 2014, i got Peggy in May and lost it due to Lagos stress. (Am sure those that live in Abuja and Lome know how easy life can be especially when it comes to driving unlike our crazy Lagos).

On Dec 23, 2014, my family travelled to US for Christmas and new year break with TURKISH airline (a very good airline in all ramifications, the only disadvantage is you must always get to Istanbul before your final destination). Our POE was Houston and at that moment I was already 15 weeks Peggy and it was obvious. Houston people no dey laugh o, but I was prepared, confident, prayerful and they could see my passports i that I travel a lot. The black Lady CBP asked us why we were visting US we said for Christmas and new year holiday then she asked if I was preggy and I said yes, she asked me how far I said 15 weeks and she didn't believe me cos I looked swollen, big and more than 15 weeks. So she sent me for secondary inspection while she stamped my Hubby and Daughter for six months (till June 22, 2015).

At Secondary inspection:
I only waited for 20 minutes before I was called by another White Lady CBP (Ladies you know how though we can be especially to our fellow ladies but I wasn't afraid).
CBP: Why are you here?
Me: For Christmas and new year holiday, I need some rest
CBP: Why didn't you travel since you were give this visa?
Me: We have been busy with work and when am free my Hubby isn't free and this is the only time we have to travel together as a family. As you can see I travel a lot of mission but throughtout 2014 I havent travelled anywhere cos I have been busy with my studies. I also have 2 more final exams to write on Jan 17th, 2015 plus project defence so I must leave US on 13th Jan so as to write my exams which is very important to me.
CBP: Can I see your return ticket?
Me: I gave her plus my Doctor's report stating how far I was gone and my due date.
CBP: I like to see Nigerians that are honest, most of them come here lie to us, give birth and don't pay medical bills. It's tax payers that suffer from their mess cos we pay their bills. We know about the give birth in US thread on Naira land. Forget about the wrong things they write there. If you intend to have your baby in US make sure you inform the embassy, Dotors corresponfence, budget, print your statement of account while coming, have enough cash to pay your bills, make sure you say the truth, pay your bills and keep your receipts very well cos we will always ask you when you want to renew your visa and the point of entry.
Me: No problem, we still have good Nigerians
CBP: I will stamp you for 3 weeks( she was then looking at me to read my thoughts)
Me: No worries, that is fine please just stamp till 13th Jan (which was less than the 3 weeks she offered)...lol
CBP: She stamped me in for 6 months o till June 22.

We left the airport, cruised Houston, Dallas, Alabama and Istanbul before going back to Nigeria as planned. If you buy Turkish airline ticket you are entitled to a one night hotel lodging at Istanbul upon arrival from US and if you pay for transit visa which is 40 Dollars. Then upon arrival at Istanbul from Nigeria while waiting for your flight to US you are entitled to meal ticket. Know your right and get to enjoy all cos you learn a lot when you travel, great exposure too.

Let me rest my back aches I will continue with part two of my 2nd POE which was at Atlanta on 5th May, 2015. I hope someone learns from my humble story...me I no sabi brag o...lol.

nefertitiram:
The results have been collated from Chicago.
But before I announce the winners, I will read the reports from the RECs of various hospitals.

nefertitiram:
Huhn? What are you talking about? Did I miss something somewhere? Do you even read my posts at all you come charging in like a bull out of its cage? Did I say I haven't found a hospital? Did you miss the 'Rivers state post? And did you miss the part where I came this early at 20 weeks solely for the purpose of searching? Or did your wife deliver at 20 weeks?
And if I need urgent care is there no ER? Or is it your money? Haba?
Please please please, stay your lane o! I am still collating results for announcements. If you are not pleased, jump and pass. The relevant parties are eagerly waiting.