₦airaland Forum

Delta is my favorite to fly with an infant (especially if you can get the bassinet seats). Their economy comfort seats are perfect and sooooooo much more comfortable than economy for only a token fee (at least compared to what KLM charges for their own economy plus or whatever) and if you have miles, even better cos you can use miles to upgrade.

irsttymum post=36896003]
Hahhahhahahhahhaha! Thanks jare... I'm not flying them just posting their prices[/quote]

Maybe she's more comfortable staying with family and obviously she can afford the Maryland price so no biggie.

firsttymum:
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

Doesn't it ask on the application if you've been refused a visa? If you answer truthfully, shouldn't that suffice?
This your story already had a k-leg, now it's turning to bow leg!

uptown17:
haaaaa. help again o. dont be tired pls. hubby has an old passport (before epassport started) that has a 6mnths, 2yrs, visa and a rejection of 5yrs application. the rejection was in 2007 wt reason (he was a student then and dint have sufficient ties to nigeria) all from way back before we got married. his new passport has just schengen visa

as you have advised we should face our us visa for birthing, does this new discovery on his old passport matter?
should we take this passport alongside the new one at all?

pls bear in mined, my self n 2yr old baby have 6months uk application rejection on ours

thanks guru mums

Try Uber insread. You. Can calculate the fare on their website before you decide and then compare to cab or car rental prices.

Somebody mentioned here that National is a good rental company cos they accept naija debit cards.

hotmummy2015:
I don land
Poe story in atlanta
Queue was not long as we landed 5.15am. I Ditched the wheel chair last minute- good idea
Landed in front of one okay looking female cbp officer. Travelled with mum. Already told her that i will answer all the questions
Officer- why r u here
Me- to give birth
Officer- why do u want to give birth here
Me - better healthcare
Cbp- do u have all d necessary documents
Me- yes i do
Cbp- have you been here before
Me- no
How much do u have- $10k
Cbp to mum- who is she to u
Mum- my daughter
Cbp- why r u here, have u been here before
Mum- to take care of her.... Yes i have been here before
Stamps mum in for 6 months... Calls a woman to take me to secondary inspection. I was like oh God
Secondary inspection- a black man finally called me after like 10 mins wait
Cbp2- do you have docs appointment
me : yes shows him
Cbp2 - is the money with you urs or given to you
me: its all mine
cbp2- lets me see, r u sure its not over or less
me: its the exact amount
cbp: okay pls pay your bills, we will cancel ur visa if u don't. he stamps me in for 6 months
me: okay i intend to
cbp2- ur free to go
no agriculture all the plenty food mum packed intact
thank God for favor.waiting first appointment tomorrow

meanwhile the cab fare from airport to house no sexy, na to rent car anytime i have waka at this rate, just that my drivers license is fake.. il think abt that one later
relaxing mode loaded..

Yeah, you'll be good. Just hold your cash and receipts.

IjayMama:
Hello Nairalanders, been a while. I had my adorable lil princess August last year in Methodist Hospital Sugar land but right now im in panic mode cos I just found out we are expecting another! My baby is due March and my visa expires February ending. I plan to travel to the US in December...how possible is it dat I use 1 visa for 2 babies, and what if I don't get 6 months at the POE...and considering I haven't been to the US since I had my first baby last year, what would my experience at the POE likely be? Please help!

P.S.
I'm a frequent traveller to the US before I had my daughter and I have all my receipts with zero balance so I'm not owing a dollar.

What you need from them is an estimate, they don't need to attend to you for anything else.

I used Winnie Palmer in Orlando and I called them, asked for the financial advisor then asked her for an estimate and she sent it to me. I didn't make any payment until I went to register for my scheduled CS.

coffeeblue:
Thanks shelly23,

St Joe said they wont attend to me until i come over which is in some months time. So i want to know if the hospital you used in Florida was able to attend to you before you got there, and if you also paid the hospital bills before travelling.

Google st joseph's hospital, someone mentioned it to me when I was considering Tampa.

coffeeblue:
Hello house,

Please i would like to know if anyone has delivered her baby in Tampa, Florida who can suggest names of hospitals and doctor in the area. Thanks

I used my Zenith Card and the rate was 226.

I hear that dollar rate might come down, a friend bought black market today at 235 and earlier this week he was told 241.

I guess we'll wait and see.

shawlar:
231 Na wa oh... This old generation bank sef don join the scam
I had better go and apply for this STANBIC debit card. From what I gather ,u don't need to open an account. Its jst a debit card loaded with the amount you want.

Yeah Tdap. In Nigeria I was given only the tetanus shot though.

0yin:
Thanks. My dr calls it Tdap.

Yes I got the reply aand printed it but didn't need at the POE. I came through ATL and it was a breeze.

Detty16:
Many thanks Shelly....thanks for sharing your story. Please did you get the mail when you sent a notification intent to them saying you want to have your child there and did you print for POE?

Just declare it, they usually ask families (or those travelling together) to fill one landing form, so giving your mum may not make a difference

hotmummy2015:
got PTA this afternoon from Stanbic at allen branch.. after I opened diamond account and they started yarning three months bla bla bla scam.. hubby was able to get from diamond sha before they started yarning stories that touch the heart. The 208 at stanbic pain me small sha but its beta than 242

abeg oh if I have more than $10k but im travelling with my mum can she hold the excess for me as she doesn't have up to $3k she is holding will they add both our monies together and we have to declare it either way. abeg no vex if na stupid question, I never go America before abeg,... does any one know? I know its okay to declare more but just trying to limit my transactions/ grammar at POE abeg.

You don't have to renew before you go. I travelled on Feb 2nd and my visa expired on Feb 26. I stayed in the US till the end of May and renewed via drop box when I got back. I travelled again in June without any issues.
Just send them an email informing of your childbirth plans and you should be ok.

Detty16:
Many thanks Firstymum. I totally agree with what you said and thats what i may opt for. I have a B1/B2, which i though covers vac/medical, hence my reason for wanting to just go... I will keep you posted as it goes. I appreciate.

I'm not being defensive at all, sorry if it came across that way. I'm really just curious as to why people are so opposed to taxes, whether double or single or whatever, especially when the effect/benefits are so obvious.

To each his own I guess.

Ralphlauren:
There's absolutely nothing wrong in paying taxes. Absolutely nothing wrong. It seems you do not understand what FATCA is all about. It's basically the double taxation a US citizen is subject to if he or she earn wages/does business/operate a bank account outside the US. As long as the individual lives/works/earns wages/does business/operates bank accounts strictly within the US, then there's nothing to worry about.

No need to get all defensive at me ma'am. I know Nigerian mothers take this US citizenship via birth really personal and they are very defensive about it which is my original post was directed to parents with foreign citizenship already.

All I have done is explain in layman terms a law which a lot of people do not know about or understand.

Is it really such a bad thing to pay taxes? At least we can see the value of the taxes. Medicaid that some of us are illegally using is a result of taxes.

I'll rather my child pay taxes than to be wondering what if or singing sholda woulda coulda songs many years down the line

shawlar:
Its amazing that most peeps on this forum don't know about US tax laws or the FATCA and how it affects their lil ones
For me, it was one of the major aspects of this US birth thingy that I considered extensively b4 making up my mind



I'll post some additions to what @Ralphlauren posted later. Just know this, your lil americana will pay taxes to the US govt for life....

..unless he renounces sha,

more later

abeg @Ralphlauren how person go take get EU/UK passport..?
My wife never travel #itsnottoolate

I can hook you up sharpish! Just let me know your specs, enough single and searching ladies in Lagos

By next month you can do introduction and by the end of the year trad and white wedding.

If you're not in Nigeria, they can put your picture on the chair next to your 'wife' at the introduction or infact you can facetime from wherever you are. Thank God for technology

And then we can do nairaland aso ebi, since technically we're part of your extended family

justwise:
apparently men can get pregnant these days..... being trying but it doesn't work so i have to shift my attention to wife hunting

Yeah it depends on the hospital and the packages they offer. My hospital will charge separately for mother and each child. The fee for the mother is fixed though and the child is just based on what they do.
Better for the OP to confirm from the hospital, if possible get it in writing sef before the birth.

Phema:
Are you serious? Which hospital? That's a first. . .

Most hospitals i know don't charge two separate bills for each baby.

I guess it depends on the hospitals then. So OP, please ask the hospital you will be using.

Some people have come out to say they used medicaid, I guess they weren't ashamed.

It's a pretty delicate situation like someone else mentioned, but the truth is that by using it, we're taking advantage of the system, no need to try justifying it.

I was fortunate not to use it for my baby, but not everyone can raise extra money when the bills start piling.

May God help us all.

justwise:
There is such an unusual silence about this issue in this thread that can only mean that a lot of people here use Medicaid secretly but ashamed to acknowledge it openly here.

The 'bad' experiences at the POE will continue if some people keep abusing the system.

My visa expired in February, I had my baby in March and didn't leave the US till May. I renewed through drop box as soon as I got home cos I had to be back in the US in July.
As long as you enter the US before the visa expires, you're fine. What really matters is the date they stamp on your passport at the POE.

emeldamicheals:
Thanks Shelly for your reply. I appreciate. I was thinking renewing will be better since my EDD is in march and visa expires in April. However, do you know the average time people spend while they travel. I know it can't be the same. Thats why I asked average. How lonh it will take to process everything and come bavk home after birth. Sorry, if my question is lame. Just a novice. Thanks

Just go back a few pages to when you first posted, a few people replied and shared their own experiences.
Taking medicaid is a risk, but one you mya have to consider if you can't afford to pay your bills now.
Really sorry about your baby, thank God you're getting the required care.

CallMeFavoured:
Hello Everyone,

Pls and pls. I still want your advice based on my last post. I am devastated. I know its midnight but if ure awake and you know any referrals on this situation pls i need urgent advice. My baby is in NICU. My babys bills is in thousands of dollars. I have paid my own bills and collected zero balance for mine. Social worker has been following my babys case to register her for medicaid saying she is a citizen. I keep saying No because i dont know what to do, but he says he doesnt affect me in anyway. My hubby and I cant afford the final bill when it comes out, the best we can get is 15% discount. Pls if you had a similar experience or know a similar one advice me abeg. Will signing my baby up affect my visa renewal? Or affect my baby in the future after 18yrs of age? God why me. This is really tough for me.

O pari o!

chenonye:
Hello house,

Be informed that MIHS no longer offers medical package for non Arizona patients.

Change effected on 14/06/15

You don't need to renew your visa, as long as you get to the US before it expires, you'll be alright. You can renew when you come back.

As for getting info, take your time and start reading from page 1, pretty much everything about child birth in the US has been covered.

emeldamicheals:
Hello fellow naira landers. ..
I am not new to nairaland but new to giving birth in the US. I just found out I am pregnant and we are planning to give birth in US which will be between february/march next year.

I have a B1/B2 Visa with my kids and mum which we used to travel last year august for hollidays/ Uncle's anniversary.
The visa will expire in April 2016 but I intend to renew them soon through drop box.

How early can I renew my visa? Can I renew it before it expires through drop box and can I do it now?

Should I let the embassy know that I am pregnant?

Also, I need every info I can get for child birth like cheap hospitals for CS birth and how to go about it.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Yes they were there last weekend. A friend confirmed it yesterday.

domrita:
Pls peeps can anyone confirm the story that Nigerian Consulate came to houston to issue nigerian passports here n left yest ie 12th july....pls is this true or r they yet to come to houston. And what time. ...pls i nid this info sharp sharp abeeg. Thanks people!

Where in Florida are you going? I'm in Orlando

back2dmatter:
Dear Mamas in the house.........

Please i need your assistance as I will be traveling to Florida soon with my 2 year old toddler (very active).

One of my friends suggested that I buy a baby stroller and more toys to kept him calm and busy during the long queue waiting period at the POE.

Please, what kind of stroller is accepted by United Airline or any other Airlines as hand luggage?

olokings:
Nairaland is the new Google. ...

Sooner or later or it ll be
"Please can someone locate my hux and help me get my TV remote from the sitting room!

No they won't. I was advised not to pierce until after my baby got a first set of shots at 2months. Not if it's the standard practice, but they definitely won't do it at birth.

ewa2014:
Hello house,

Pardon my ignorance o.. this is my first baby..LoL

So I was wondering.. would they pierce baby's ears in the hospital and do they charge for this. Should I take earrings along or what.

Thanks in anticipation

Hahahahaha!!!

Those of us that don't like popcorn are slowly licking ice cream praying it doesn't melt before the storyteller comes back.

nefertitiram:
Popcorn mode activated. U berra come back here and deliver this gist. No put us for high jump o

As in!!!

Phema:
37+? Babe, you get mind!

You can try Delta too. They didn't ask me for a fit to fly even

Beryl15:
Pls mamas who have travelled at 35weeks which airline did you use. This Qatar airways has messed up things for me...after they rescheduled my flight twice it seems I might not travel with them.
Biko its urgent, I need to Travel this week.
Plssss

Sorry ehn!

Nogen:
I need someone who's coming to El Paso and I know all about the rules and regulations here and Nigerian driver's license is accepted. Please , if you are not coming, let those who are, help out!

Ideally you should have an international driver's license to drive in the US cos the nigerian one isn't recognized. Just hope you're not stopped for any reason cos you'll have a bit of explanation to do with your naija license. And you might even jeopardise the car owner cos you're probably not listed on the insurance. Just be careful.

Nogen:
Good morning moms and dads. Please, is anyone coming to El Paso anytime soon from Lagos? Please PM, need someone to help me bring my driver's license. We have a car to use in our apartment, but no driver's license to use.

Those who came with theirs are done with birthing and have gone back to Nigeria or other States here. Please, help a sister. Thanks.

I guess you're right.
PS- the people that helped us were in Nigeria not here in the US.

darasimi1988:
@Shelly, good for u. You were able to negotiate and God in His mercy raised helpers to pay ur bill. We r nt nd won't be all dt lucky u know. To start with, hosp and state may be a factor as to u getting a 65% discount. then kai, better pple surround u o. You dnt know the state she is in, the hosp she used and if she has any1 dt may contribute $5k towards offsetting d bill. Some pple r very private, they dnt wnt pple to know what's going on with em. By the way, heard of some1 who had her baby in MIHS, incurred a bill of $36k and was able to negotiate the bill to $5k+. M nt sure u can do dt in most hosps. If na medicaid God go use save her pikin, make she collect am o. No be by force to enta US, other beautiful European countries dey.

Sorry to hear about your baby, she will be fully healed in Jesus name.

As for medicaid, i'll suggest that you don't take it. Just keep telling them that you will be violating the terms of your visa.

My daughter was born with hyper-extended knees and needed extra care (not NICU though) and they kept offering medicaid and I kept turning it down. I ended up negotiating a 65% discount with the hospital on the condition that I paid all at once. Thank God for God because divine helpers showed up and we managed to pay everything without any issues (total of about $13k).

All the best as you make your decision.

CallMeFavoured:
Hello house,

To Gods glory i gave birth to my baby. After birth the docs found out my baby needed emergency surgery and was admitted at the nicu. My baby is still in nicu.

I just got approached by a lady who works under the finance dept of my hospital. She had been trying to reach me. she told me was that the insurance will pay all my babys nicu bills because he is a citizen and under emergency. Its called "emergency all kids package for 0-18yrs". Its under Medicaid.

I already told her i paid cash for mine and i plan to do same for my baby (tho i dont know how much) because i dont like issues. And i told her if i must agree to what she is telling me, she has to send me a letter stating all she said because i dont want anything to taint me or my babys future.

I am weary of this, please what do you guys think of this. Is this real or i should run for my life?