Hawttattoo:
To Him alone be all the glory ....
I was delivered of a bouncing baby boy on Saturday at Houston Northwest medical center
Will share the birth story when I'm a bit free.

One love

Congrats Ma'am!

roberta26:


my sister hospital for this maryland no they smile at all,its just like the other maryland mums said.
i came here coz this is the only place i v family members..but i was with the hope that il get somtn good one way or another.
i practically visited all the hospitals in baltimore..called tons in other counties..they all gave high price quote with maximum of 2% discount..and their price quote does not include doctors,pediatricians or epidural fee.

sinai gave me a quote of $12,750, although Dr Parsons..the obgyn that gave me the letter..(charges $2k for normal delivery) sais some of his selfpay patients pay aroud 6 to 7k to d hospital after delivery..i dont know how true that is.

St. agnes gave hospital charges of $8k no discount..for both mother and baby.

mercy medical centre gave $12500 with 1% discount for 2days stay for mother and baby

greater baltimore medical centre gave a quote of $7700
same as medstar franklin square hospital.
holy cross hospital $5k-5k5 for mum and about 1k5 to 2k for baby...and about 1percnt discount.
Anne arundel medical centre..$5780 for mum and $2000 fr baby..2percnt discount.
all this fees does not include doctors, peadiatrician, epidural fees..just hospital stay

i dint bother calling prince george hospital after reading some1s experience with them here.

in short maryland is not a place to come to when you are working on a tite budget..they more or less charge the same amount they charge patients with insurance.

eventually thanks to @aye88..shes bn very helpful.. i finally settled for the hospital she used..although its 1hour 12min drive frm where i stay in baltimore..(which is about the same distance as some hospital in maryland)

its inova alexandria hospital in virginia.. they charge $4621 for mum and baby 2 days hospital stay..which myt be lessee than that depending on how long u stay...got a pediatrician that charges 200dollae..and obgyn DR anser charges 2500..accepted my naija results,and only requested for a few i dint do before

I know a lot of people have complained that Maryland can be quite expensive and to be honest I think it is too. I had my baby at Shady Grove Hospital in January 2013 and I stayed one night there and got a bill of about $4k plus and the doctor collected $5k, the baby was about $350 but bear in mind that this was all for one night oh! (although I took two shots of epidural cos I was in labour for 12 hours) and the pead fees was less than $300. The doctor I used then is indian and she understood I was trying to save costs so she allowed me to leave after a night stay in the hospital.

This time around I am not even nearing Maryland although she tried convincing me that she has moved practices and that the rates are much cheaper and that the hospital the new practice is affiliated too is also much more affordable and all, but abeg I cant shout! That time I was JJC now my eye has opened! I would be paying for accommodation too so the cost would be too much! Maybe if I had family in Maryland it would make mores sense! But all in all sha, like you said Maryland is not smiling.

teeboy95:


@firsttymum abeg which date you see this kind price because for aug or sept travel I Don search everywer na 400k and above dey ground oo..how you take manage see dat price

Even BA is 322k

Detty16:
I am due early Nov, intend going thru JFK. I am caught between renewing my visa cos it expires Nov 20th. So i really havent made up my mind on whether to renew or just use the existing visa. Could u please advise?

U can use your visa to arrive at the US POE till the last date the visa expires,it is the CBP officer that determines how long u will stay even if it expires while u are in US, just make sure that u left before the date they stamped on your passport. It is written boldly on their website.

My little contribution/ advice i got from a friend:

If u are not having a high risk pregnancy, you can use a BIRTH CENTER. They are way cheaper dan d hospitals and some of dem are affiliated with hospitals incase issues arise. But bear in mind dat some of d birth centers offer unmedicated child birth.

shimk:
so people frustration wanted to kill me since yesterday.


went to carters yesterday and after selecting and selecting got to the counter to pay na dey said 756$

no wahala na. swiped my fcmb card it was declined, did it twice still declined

had to beg them to keep d stuff till today. got there today still couldnt use the card. sent a mail to customer service and dey said its cus

This new CBN policy was released yesterday and other banks will adhere soon unless it is reversed.
The limit is 300$ for POS too and 60,000NGN for tam withdrawals per day in Nigeria as to 150,000.
Its not nice at all, one will have to travel with adequate cash, my Stanbic opening of account and card swiping has entered voicemail now
So annoying!

lala4sure:
Part two (secondary inspection) please bear with my long story of life but I have been getting emails To post my Houston POE experience so I had to make out this time to do it. So read below


They threatened I will be sent back and right there I saw pregnant women been sent back (although their stories sef tire me too so I no blame the immigration) and all efforts to explain myself was just abortive. I started praying ohh until the last guy came and called my name so I went into his office with him and God just used him to set me free. He went through all my docs and he saw the email I sent to London/Abuja consulate informing them about my change of plans (I got my visa in london) and the response from both sides. He said his problem now is that I have no money but I insisted I have more than enough that he should check my cards with ATM. He asked if he can see my budget sheet (God bless Phema because I copied her pattern) and also access my account online, I said sure so I switched on my phone and logged into my GTB internet banking and he saw the money and started calculating based on my budget sheet and God knows what exchange rate he was using. After that he was convinced and didn't bother to check my other cards (even when I reminded him) and he explained to me to get my receipts for every payment just incase I am asked next time. He stamped me in till next year and I thank God. Other pregnant women where there but we didn't talk ohh, na so I run for my dear life.
.Note: Houston Poe isn't advisable if your situation is not straight and note that they are aware of Nairaland because the immigration man told me about it.
Good luck to everyone. Na baby arrival we dey wait ni

U took a very big risk & a big gamble,but thank God that everything went well at last.God is wonderful.

hmnnnn...@firstymum i have a handful 2yr old daughter. i cant manage wt her alone. i get tired easily. cos hubby will join us december, i tried houston and affordable places i saw some say, no children, some say only 1 adult. (i am considering taking my mum to help me before hubby comes) extended stay america is not cheap. thats what led to going to family place ooo

firsttymum:
Uptown17


Lemme b practical with you
Why go to a state where u wld spend more just because u have to stay with a family member? Consider transport + hospital bill

I don't get it at all o!
Let's say u go to a state and get like less than 6k or let's say 6k sef (without epi) and then u find accommodation where u pay 1k monthly for 3months (u get free ride to hospital weekly and grocery shopping)
U end up spending 9k for Hosp + accommodation +transport (at least before u put to bed).
So it's not bout getting free accommodation it's what it will cost you at the end.

It's not how close the hospital is, it's how affordable it is for you (weigh your pocket)
But we will b happy if you can get new hospitals and share d cost breakdown


stories about affordable hospitals in some states with affordable accommodation have been shared severally... Once again if u are reading you wld have read a lot of similar stories like yours

kaakaa:
My own is ticket price o.... the price is not friendly at all. .... ....
Was thinking it would be reducing by now but for where still about 400k to houston.... pls anybody that knows any more affordable flight should help out....

BTW sterling bank now sells PTA, I think all banks are selling now....
.....and I have ported to Atlanta,so if you have any question on LA try n read thru my thread or ask me here.... will give as much info as I know...

Hello @kaakaa, just read you have ported to Atlanta... I should be leaving in a few days...can you share the info you have on Atlanta pls.

Hawttattoo:
To Him alone be all the glory ....
I was delivered of a bouncing baby boy on Saturday at Houston Northwest medical center
Will share the birth story when I'm a bit free.

One love

Congrats babe. My kisses to your LO. Can't wait to hear how you handled the pediatrician and 1k stuff and also the accommodation you later settled for. Will be joining you soon. Please PM me if possible.

Austine2020:
U can use your visa to arrive at the US POE till the last date the visa expires,it is the CBP officer that determines how long u will stay even if it expires while u are in US, just make sure that u left before the date they stamped on your passport. It is written boldly on their website.

Thanks Austine...

One hurdle crossed. I sincerely appreciate everybody's contribution in the house. In the spirit of giving back...my interview transcript with the VO:

Me n hubby (MH): Good morning
VO: Hi Good morning. Pass your passports and what's Your purpose?
Me: To have our baby
VO: okk. Turns to hubby and asked what do you do.
H: i work as the finance mgr in a finance coy
Vo: how long have you worked there
H: a little over a year.
Vo: you have also worked in XX coy?
H: yes ( all this while me i just dey look)
Vo: turns to me...and asked who is sponsoring this trip?
Me: hubby
Vo: turns back to hubby. Where did you school and what did you study.
H: XX Uni. Studied XX
Vo: can you tell me some of the courses you took in sch.
H: (he was shocked..wasn't expecting that question) ..Regular XX courses.
Vo: immediately repeats looking surprised..regular XX courses?? That's how hubby woke up oo.. and remembered what he filled in the form lool...
H: oh okay.. den he listed like 3 or 4 etc
Vo: okay. How much do you earn?
H: XX naira ... exactly what was filled in the form.
Vo: okay turns to me.. and you what for you do, wia do you work and what do you earn...
Me: X coy, do XX... i earn x naira...
Vo: ok. Who r you gonna be staying with and where in the us?
Me: my brother..in Houston

Jibbie2015:


Hello @kaakaa, just read you have ported to Atlanta... I should be leaving in a few days...can you share the info you have on Atlanta pls.

Hahaha....ok like seriously I think I have to modify that post before I get more questions on Poe.... my dear am still in Nigeria scouting for affordable ticket....havent gone yet....
How much did you get your ticket and which airline....

Hello Mama's,

Please does anyone have any idea of a good birthing center in Chicago? Didn't find anything in the 2 parts...My budget is very tight so I am considering using a birthing center instead of a hospital.

@hastee sent you a mail please reply now. I have been expecting your response....

Thank you.

My Edd was on the 2nd of August based on scan did at 9 weeks. I don't know which kpekus nailed it (according to Nef) as I wasn't even sure of my LMC.
After 2nd August,I was scheduled for induction on the 7th but i called and cancelled it a day before 7th seriously kabashing and building up my faith that labour will come before then. As I had my other kids without inducing and on time.
I started having mild contraction on the 7th, got to the hospital on the early hours of 8th. The labour was not progressing and induction was the only option since I was already 41 weeks.
I declined epidural initially...but I had to literally begged for it when the pains became unbearable but still I wasn't given one cos my palette was low according to them
But in all.. I muscled it out as a true daughter of Zion bringing forth a 9.8lb baby boy... Phewww

My rating for HNWC will be 4.5****. Their nurses are nice and friendly. Clean rooms,nice food but poor in freebies
My baby was given only 15 diapers,1 small size wipe,8 Similac,thermometer ,pacifier
I was given rubber basin... Sit bath
I complained to my dr Glenn about the $1k pediatrician fee and I got a called from him yesterday that he has spoken to the CEO .... So hopefully something will be done about it. Yet to get my bills but will relate it once it's sorted

Forgive my long post...

Phema:


Congrats Ma'am!

Thank you Phema

uptown17:

hmnnnn...@firstymum i have a handful 2yr old daughter. i cant manage wt her alone. i get tired easily. cos hubby will join us december, i tried houston and affordable places i saw some say, no children, some say only 1 adult. (i am considering taking my mum to help me before hubby comes) extended stay america is not cheap. thats what led to going to family place ooo

Na u r not being honest... Or you have looked the wrong way.
See getting a cheap accommodation and hospital is all in ur hands... Houston is like d place for a cheap hospital and accommodation. Take ur time read up, read people's stories... Listen if I try to give u all the answers it's not going to b enough.
havent you seen the recent testimonies about people's successful visa interviews and Poe stories? I'm exhausted at replying you sef, I sound like a broken record, becos the fact is all you want is help but no one can satisfactorily help you except YOU
Good luck dear

Hawttattoo:
My Edd was on the 2nd of August based on scan did at 9 weeks. I don't know which kpekus nailed it (according to Nef) as I wasn't even sure of my LMC.
After 2nd August,I was scheduled for induction on the 7th but i called and cancelled it a day before 7th seriously kabashing and building up my faith that labour will come before then. As I had my other kids without inducing and on time.
I started having mild contraction on the 7th, got to the hospital on the early hours of 8th. The labour was not progressing and induction was the only option since I was already 41 weeks.

Forgive my long post...

Congratulations on your bundle of joy..4.45kg, wow..weldone!
You had a natural start of labour, so you were augmented not induced
Congrats once more

Hawttattoo:

Thank you Phema

Congratulations darling... I'm patiently waiting for the pediatricians fee

Chicagomum:
Hello Mama's,

Please does anyone have any idea of a good birthing center in Chicago? Didn't find anything in the 2 parts...My budget is very tight so I am considering using a birthing center instead of a hospital.

@hastee sent you a mail please reply now. I have been expecting your response....

Thank you.

Check google and you will see a whole list, contact them and look at their reviews also
People here hardly use birth centres so u may not find info on that esp in Chicago

Mum2bee:


Even BA is 322k

Dare me then just tell me the week u wanna travel and come back and see if I wont get u a cheaper ticket

kaakaa:


Pls which search engine are you using or do you just check the airline's website individually....

It's my secret

[quote author=Jibbie2015 post=36871458]One hurdle crossed. I sincerely appreciate everybody's contribution in the house. In the spirit of giving back...my interview transcript with the VO:

Me n hubby (MH): Good morning
VO: Hi Good morning. Pass your passports and what's Your purpose?
Me: To have our baby
VO: okk. Turns to hubby and asked what do you



Congratulations on your visa, please am about applying for mine, did u put ur rothers name in the form and also did u go with an invitation letter from your brother to the embassy. Your response will be highly appreciated.

@hawttattoo

9.8 lb baby and you pushed! Super mummy of super baby!

Congrats!! Wowz!

nefertitiram:


Justwise!!!!
Where are you! Agent alert!

In Houston