₦airaland Forum

That's a landing card, not the I 94 card.
The I-94 is a small card given to you by the POE official and that's where they used to stamp, now they just stamp on the passport.

nefertitiram:
In years? I've been in and out of US 3 times in 2yrs, ds is the 4th time. I always get a card on the flight, even when I have nothing to declare.

How did you declare your food items? Because that's where you declare stuff you have.

Hope the free shipping includes international shipping.

Like someone else suggested, I say you use sea cargo. The rates are much cheaper cos they don't charge by weight, instead they use the dimension of your items/boxes. It takes longer, but it allows you send a lot more stuff.

I normally use hitechcourier based in Tampa florida. They pick up from me in Orlando and when i'm in naija, I order and ship directly to them. It takes about 4-5wks to get my stuff. Their container usually leaves around the 30th of every month, so I time it accordingly.

You can PM me for details if you're interested.

Newmum15
post=33649264:
Amazon ships for free if you're buying anything above $35(so they said,they might have hidden charges tho).I won't mind shipping by sea if I get too.

That's strange I haven't gotten a card in years, just the stamp in my passport

nefertitiram:
Stopped ke? They still give it o! It's usually 6 months, but some special conditions, esp after sec. inspection and deliberations, it could be less. But max of 6 mths

A colleague normally orders books, but she picks them up from the post office in VI. You can try but just make sure it's nothing too expensive in case you don't get it.

Newmum15:
Pls guys,has anyone bought and shipped anything to Nigeria from Amazon?Pls help me o

If you haven't bought yet, I suggest you do so asap and make sure your travel date is before June 15th cos that's the official start of summer peak period and ticket prices will sky rocket.

For example I just checked wakanow, Delta for my baby and I to florida on June 10 is 416k and on June 17 is 686k

tosyne1808:
@lala4sure

how are you doing,i just read the thread, am also looking to go to houston in 2nd week june and i havent bought my ticket,have yyou had any luck with it yet?also most importanty do you have have an email for dr fab of oakland,i havent dcided yet but will like to get an all inclusive bill to help mak e up my mind..

I thought they had stopped giving I 94 cards. The stamp on the passport is the date you're meant to leave i.e. exactly 6months after to arrived (May 10 to Nov 9)

sucre26:
Will check now. Thanks
Can you please crosscheck the website? Its saying webpage not available

Not sure why anyone would be ashamed of having a C section!

I remember a colleague called me a lazy woman cos I had a C section, but I figured he's a bushman and ignored him.

[quote author=aadeg post=33577814]Congratulations and Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I must say you are one in a million! Many of us are ashamed to tell others our babies were delivered through C-Section. I am not sure if there is a cultural belief against C-section. I do know some of us are afraid other women will look down on us as lazy, weak, and unable to go through the pains of a normal birth. But the truth is normal delivery or not, it takes grace and strength from above to go through pregnancy and childbirth.

Newark is in New Jersey not New York. Are you sure it's not New York Kennedy and then La Guardia?

hadetola:
Hello people of NL ,

please do we have anyone who has traveled to US through New York Kennedy and to connect through New york Newark for the next flight?
I will like to know how far is the two airport and how can one connect is it a walk over or by train or taxi.

What keywords are you using to search? If you put in 'hospitals in miami' i'm sure stuff will come up. Click on each one, and look for the services they offer, if obstetrics or gynaecology shows up, look for their patient services or business office numbers and plan to call them. Most hospital websites usually have a list of doctor associated with them, you can also get numbers for doctors and call too.

This is what I had to do when I was searching for doctors and hospitals in Orlando. I must have called more than 30 doctors' offices before I found my doctor.

Roll up your sleeves and get to work! Good luck.

fola62:
infact, google has not been of much help. Still waiting for any useful information.

I suggest you go to google asap. Florida is not a popular destination.

fola62:
Hello House,

Please I urgently need information on costs, Hospital, and Doctor Referral for giving birth in Miami Florida.
There isn't any information on this thread about Miami Florida
Please its quite urgent.

Thank You.

Neo-natal intensive care unit

ladyjoie:
hello everyone,
got dr Fagbohuns letter that states his estimate for hospital bill and it says hospital fees discounted rate at oakbend medical center, Richmond texas . this does not include NICU fees
please what's NICU ?

Yes, that's a good investment, got mine 3yrs ago for my son and brought it with me.
Also comes in handy if you're flying Delta and aren't able to get the basinet.

favoredgal:
I bought that hands free one that you wear with the baby in the front and checked in my stroller and baby seat. Best decision ever because I had my hands free and dint have to push the stroller.

My baby slept all through too and they are not heavy at that stage.

It's worth checking out

Ps welcome home

Hahahahaha!!! The telemundo in the US is in Spanish. The one we get in Nigeria is the international one so they have English subs.

Your best bet is to buy the DVDS in traffic or you can watch telenovelas on hulu or netflix

shimk:
pls o
was anyone able to watch telemundo while in
d us?
dont want to miss out o. lol

I went to college in the US at 16 and I turned out very ok, infact those were the best years of my life! And the major reason (besides better healthcare) I'm having my kids in the US.
As a student, I know what my parents went through to pay school fees (this was during the Abacha era, so things were VERY tough for them) and I also know that if I was a citizen I would've had access to financial aid and more scholarships to help ease the burden.
Even after graduation, I know I missed out on a few jobs because the companies were not interested in doing a work permit for me. Fortunately, I eventually got a job, but it definitely wasn't my dream job and I ended up earning much less than I should have cos the company felt they were doing me a favor by getting the work permit for me. I eventually moved back home after 10yrs of living in the US and even though I don't see myself living in the US again, I'm determined to have my kids there. Let them decide to live there or not when the time comes.

You seem to already know what you want to do, so I won't bother trying to convince you. For anyone else reading this, when your kids eventually go to college, please make sure they take financial aid if they qualify, not student loans o! I have friends who are still paying student loans 15yrs after graduation (that's the only good thing about not being a citizen when I went to college, cos I graduated without any debt )


[quote author=bachangel post=33410984]Thank you all so much for your responses to the concerns I raised about having a baby in the US.

I am really more convinced than I initially was, although getting to 100% will naturally take a bit more thinking, planning etc.

Bank of America just changed all their accounts and now they all have monthly fees. Wells Fargo might be a better option.

nefertitiram:
Thanks, Bank of America is quite a distance. Will look out for Wells Fargos.
I went to chase because it's a block away. Was a futile effort eventually

Most of the major dept stores have plus size sections - Macy's, Dillard's, JC Penney, Kohls. Just google them and their websites should come up.

dittobaby:
Please ladies in the house, I need websites of good clothing stores in America that have a section for plus sizes. The only good one I know is
'New Look' but it is UK based. Thanks.

It's not automatic o! It actually depends on the type of ticket (economy has different codes for the tickets) and time of travel. At least that's what I was told when I called the naija office.

I called the US office and got a quote of $86 for my daughter.

Shawbabe:
The people quoting $438 was the North America dept of Delta. I just called their naija branch, where I bought my own ticket and they did infant ticet for me at a lesser price. I think an NL mum has mentioned it on here b4, that her husband went and paid in naija for cheaper. But that`s the acrobatic move I did oh

Yeah, you can't book Delta tickets online in Nigeria, only through their office or agents (like wakanow).

bambini:
Tnx dear i still cldnt book it, dey said was for der miles since den i v been trying but cant.

Wats d official website for delta dat one can book a normal ticket?

Yes it is very possible. Depending on the car rental company you use, some accept debit cards with a cash deposit before releasing the car while others accept only credit cards.
I normally use avis or enterprise when i'm on holiday and they even pick me up to collect the car.

Ferarrix:
For the adventurous ones here, i heard it is possible to get an international driving license here in Nigeria and rent a car for movement while in US for birthing.

any personal experiences ?

Just put 11111

bambini:
Pls
anyone awake should pls ans me was d postal code for ikeja? dis delta ple no gree me book my flight cos of dis

Delta is probably the friendliest cos they don't ask for fit to fly, but the POE is Atlanta if your friend doesn't mind.

Popri:
Hell everyone, pls I need info on the most preggy-friendly airlines in order of preference, seems BA tops d list. Pls what's d maximum for Delta and are they nice to preggies?
A friend needs an urgent answer as she will be leaving at 35 weeks and wants to book her ticket based on that...P.S-She is really showing

Thanks

Hmmm this your advice has k-leg o! I think Vamum captured it best.

zeezahbee:
Since your husband has a green card , it is quite easy for you to get a visiting visa, because your husband will obviously fle for you to become a PR.

2ndly' you do not have to bother paying the hospital bill But you can pay if you like(that's your decision to make)because your husband is rightly open to the any free medical as a residence.
Because your husband is a residence and will automatically become a citizen in 5years from the day he got the green card, accepting Medicaid for your baby is not a crime.
You case is quite different from every other person here.
Your husband status has covered the baby and even u.

Let the vo know that your intention is to give birth and go back home, the vo know if he/she denies you, you will probably still go to the USA legally after your husband files for you.

I got a quote for $85 from orlando to lagos. And I was beyond shocked cos I had budgeted like $400. I kept asking if it was to Lagos and not just Orlando to Atlanta.
I called several times and spoke to different people who confirmed the same $85.
Unfortunately i've postponed our return trip cos of the specialist my daughter needs to see. Hopefully her ticket for the new dates will be cheap like that.

Shawbabe:
Hello house,

Sorry to anyone that has sent me emails/PM. I am taking care of two babies (husband and my child lol). Pls I will respond in time.

Biko to those who flew Delta or Air france, make una give me inside expo on booking infant ticket back to Naija. These people are quoting $435 for a one-way ticket to me .

At this rate, I go leave this American baby here go naija oh abeg make una help me

A piece of advise for future moms, it might help someone.

Please do not decline the hearing test. I had my baby on March 1 and had every intention of declining the hearing test cos of the cost, but I was told that it is mandatory in the state of Florida and you can't decline (the state covers the cost).

Anyways, my baby was tested and she failed. We were asked to do a more extensive test and booked the appt for April 14th. This test cost $304 and they discovered that my daughter has hearing loss in both ears and will be needing hearing aids.

Although this isn't news any parent wants to hear, i'm grateful to God that we weren't given an option to decline the test. It's costing us a lot more than planned cos we have to see all these specialists, but thank God it was detected early enough.

I'm not sure what would've happened if we didn't do it and went back to Nigeria just like that.

So please, as you all plan for your birthing trips, make sure to budget for the hearing test. You never know what will happen.

Oya o! Everybody find your way to Missouri

kizluv:
So i
had my princess last week @ MoBap, yayyyy
I got quiet a few mails asking for information from missouri baptist, I guess there is no hidden charge.
You are entitled to 2 nights after delivery, even if you give birth 3am or 12 noon, you are entitled to sleep 2 full nights. My doctor gave me a pain killer to numb my below (since I won't take epidural ) He said I should tell them to call him if they ask me to pay, but we are covered for "pain medications" wasn't just sure of that one. All blood test covered. We declined the hearing test. It's 50 dollars. You get your birth certificate in 2 working days, the birth certificate clerk expired it.we didn't pay. We just requested for the passport this week. They said 8 workings days (2 weeks ). Pediatricians fee is 200, he would come and check your baby 3 times, supposed to be 260, but he was kind enough to collect 200. First office visit ( out of hospital ) is 130, it's not compulsory. It's like the 1 week follow up, I had concerns bout somethings so I went. Doctor, hospital and labs remains the same. Ssn comes In less than two week, same with zero balance.
I have tested and seen that the water is clean * wink*

The medical center area hospitals are pretty pricey, not sure why.
I was in the same boat as you and I ended up getting pretty high quotes from Memorial Herman ($7863 for CS, dr fees not included), Texas Children's Hospital (8990 for CS) and St Lukes (7840 for CS). I remember St. Joseph's being the cheapest (like 5k or so for CS), but I can't find where I wrote the quote.
My suggestion will be to consider hospitals in the Katy area, not as far from where you are as the likes of oakbend and co. The Katy hospitals are more affordable. You'll just need to have a car or someone to move you around.

MsZoey:
Hi Houston-bound Mamas and Veterans,
Thanks a lot for all the information shared so far. The popular Houston Hospitals already discussed on this thread don't favour me at all, based on the distance to where I'll be staying. Please, has anyone used/ does anyone plan to use any hospital in the Medical Center area, Eg:
-The Woman's Hospital of Texas
-St Joseph's Medical Center
-CHI St Luke's Health
-any other hospital
Please I'll appreciate any information on your experience, preferred Doctors, cost, etc to aid my research. Thanks a million!

Also the cost estimate I got from Houston Methodist Hospital (not the one in Sugarland) is way too high, or am I missing something?
Vaginal Delivery= $5748(hospital charge-$4068, epidural-$1500, pathologist for mother and baby-$180) + Obgyn Dr's fees(btw 2500-3500) + Pediatrician(btw 500-700). Total=$9948
C-Section=$9266(hospital charge-7586, epidural- 1500, pathologist mother and baby-180)+ Obgyn Dr's fees(btw2500-3500)+ Pediatrician(btw500-700). Total=$13406

I paid with my Bank of America card so all the payments are reflected on the statement and that's what I plan to show at the embassy if asked, since I have to renew my visa when I get to Lagos.

As for the epidural, i'm guessing the medicine itself is in the package and the administration is separate, but keep asking your hospital. Unfortunately, not all states are as cheap and straightforward with billing as Texas.

Gracydee:
Thank you Shelly23.

I am in colorado. I have the quote and receipt but I don't understand how you want to use your statement to. I paid with cash.

As for the epidural, I actually have a self pay package that says epidural is covered. only for them to say I will pay the anaesthesilogist myself. And someone that already used the hospital mentioned that she paid like $800 for that. Just wondering that if epidural is covered in the package and what am paying is just the services of the person to administer it, should it be upto that $800. meanwhile the $800 is said to be after discount.

The same response I got from my hospital and doctor, so my plan is make a copy of the quote they gave me, along with the receipt and my bank statement as proof of payment to show the embassy when they ask.

For epidural, the fee I was charged covered both the medicine and the administration. This is in florida by the way, not sure where you are, you should ask the hospital just to be sure you don't get any surprise bill afterwards.

Gracydee:
Hello people,

please I need you to help clarify somethings o.

1)went to hospital today to make payment and I talked to them about letter of zero balance but their response was that They only give receipts.

2) for people that have used epidural, did you have to pay for epidural and still pay the anaesthesiologist who administered the epidural?

kindly help out.

Thank you

Same thing with me. I worked all of February remotely from the US (used Fuze and skype for meetings), mat leave was to start March 1 since EDD was 13th (but my baby came on March 1) and then I resume remotely in June and physically first Monday in July, altogether 5 months paid leave. And then 3 months of resuming 1hr late and closing 1hr early.
I used to get up at 4 or 5am (10/ 11am naija time) and work (meetings or responding to emails) till 11/12noon (5/6pm naija time). It worked out well for me and everyone else involved.
I was able to work this into my contract when I joined this company 2yrs ago cos that's what I had with my last job when I had my son.

nefertitiram:
Yes o! Full pay

Actually, I will work "remotely from another location" for the 3 months because I mostly do brainwork and paperwork, so I can work from anywhere as long as there is a telephone and internet. Proper Mat leave will start a month to delivery, and run for the regular 3 months.
Thank God for his favor sha, I was preparing to forfeit the extra months till my boss suggested this model for me and got it approved.

I think we should wait to hear the full story before making these suggestions. The POE officers aren't stupid o! You think they won't figure out what she's trying to do if she suddenly decides to go to the carribean or Mexico? Remember that we don't know what notes they've put in their system about her so she might just be digging a deeper hole for herself.

She probably wasn't forthcoming about her reasons for coming to the US and if that's why she was given 2 weeks, getting an immigration lawyer is a waste of time and money.

Popri:
Yep she should go to Barbados or St kitts, Caribbean islands closer to the Us or Mexico if possible than going all the way to the UK . Nig passport holders don't need a visa if visiting for less than 3 months
All the best...

If you produce a lot of milk, then please buy the medela electric pump. It is worth every expensive dollar it costs! Especially if you plan to have more kids. I've had mine since my first son 4 yrs ago and brought it with me for my new baby, in between my sister and cousin used it sef (they bought their own accessories though).
If your milk flow isn't that much, then the manual on should work just fine. I got a free one from the hospital and use it when I don't feel like plugging the electric one.
If you end up with the electric one, make sure you buy extra membranes cos they wear our pretty quickly depending on how much you use the pump sha.

IyawoToBe:
What brand do you recommend abeg! I don't trust all those oyinbo women singing praises of medela electric breast pump. An African woman's breast is different and that medela is quite expensive

I normally book directly from southwest.com. I've been flying Southwest since I was in college so I know most of their routes like the back of my hand.

nefertitiram:
Will check it out, although am already booked directly to Chicago frm Lagos! Lol. Always thout SW didn't do Chicago, cos I have never seen it on expedia. Now dat u mentioned Midway Airport, no wonder!!

Hope it's also as cheap as AA. That baggage wahala eh, very annoying.
That's how on my return trip, I started pressing everything but nada!

Ended up paying the $35 cos I was 20 seconds to missing the flight! It was so close.
Infact, did alaroro so tey, I booked a room in 'Manhattan' cos it was cheaper than the hotels near the airport. Only for me to land in Harlem, Yankee people can do wayo more than us! I only see it as tourist experience sha! And luckily wasn't preggie then. It's no adventure for any preggie I tell you! Only good side was being able visit 5th Avenue for some last minute shopping on Thanksgiving night

This time I got tkt to Chicago at d price I got tkt to NY d last time.