₦airaland Forum

Just thought I'd share my POE story too - I arrived in Hawaii with a friend two weeks ago at 36w + 4d. I was asked the standard questions - what is the purpose of your visit, how long will you stay, where will you stay etc. I answered that I came for vacation and childbirth. The guy asked why and I replied that I had a good doctor here. He then asked where I was planning to give birth and how I would be paying for it and I mentioned the hospital name and explained what cash and cards I had with me to cover the costs. I had proof of it all but he did not ask to see anything, just took my prints, stamped me in and wished me luck. Very smooth and friendly thank god. Hoping everyone travelling soon has a similar experience. Now for the birth...

ozycy:
that's the normal thing they say. It doesn't take that long cos someone got everything done and left within 2weeks just this January.

Is there something special to do to get it quicker? I want to leave within two weeks too.. I know someone who was able to in Detroit but all the info I get from official departments is not as promising.

Olsbby:
Hello Mummies,
Pls i am a FTM and just had my LO last week in Virginia & i was told it would take 4-6 weeks to get my babys birth certificate. Please can anyone who has had a baby in virginia tell me how to get it faster so i can apply for the passport as my return date to Nigeria is early march.
Also please what is the email address and steps to send the application for “visa on arrival”.
Thanks alot

Congratulations!

babestell:
18 working days from birth. However I had already gone to their office 3 days earlier to collect it.

Do you think it is possible to leave within 2 weeks of the baby's birth? I have heard it would take 30 days or more to receive the SSN so not sure if I need to wait around for it. I want to leave asap but was also told by DOH Hawaii that it would take 4-6 weeks for a birth certificate and they won't confirm that it would be shorter if I go to an office instead. The US passport seems to be the fastest document to get, with a one day turn around possible if you go in person but I'm nervous about the other stuff taking long...

Hi, has anyone recently travelled to the US on the ESTA visa waiver program (UK/NZ/AUS passport for example) to give birth? Stating true intentions at the POE is obviously important but technically on the ESTA website it says: "You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure." Wondering if birth can really be included in either category...

I remember @Amazing01 entered on a British passport before but not sure how to DM.

TIA.

Amazing01:
I would advise that you declare your true intentions at the POE. I have British passport and had my baby in the states. When asked at the POE what my visit was for, I said I was there to have my baby and that it was my husband's wish for his children to be born in the states. I got stamped in for the max duration which is 90 days .I must state tho that we had prepaid hospital and doctors fees but were not asked.

Thanks for your reply! Again still so surprised but reassured that honesty works. Prepaid fees would make me feel a lot safer, that’s definitely something I’ll look at.

Also glad to know I’m not the only one keen to explore this option despite already having a “Western” passport.

Thanks again.

expectingmum:
Where are you from? Seem we are from part of the world and in same boat?

As others mentioned, being true of intent is best.
Let me know where you based out of and i can provide more details as Hawaii is closer to me as well?

Good luck

I live in Sydney, how about you?

thermolady:
Hello Summerrr, being straight up at POE is always the best policy; actually many of us before getting to know this thread had considered or been advised to lie about our US childbirth intentions but this thread enlightened about that and it paid off for us at our interviews and POE! You are not likely to be denied entry if you go 'armed' (e.g. with proof of financial solvency & intention to return to ur country).
Most hospitals will require you to contact them by phone & they are the ones who will give you info on whether they also provide water birth services (most of us Nigerians just want to deliver safely & cost effectively on our hospital beds!)
You may need to ignore proximity. You can still have a good childbirth experience in a state where you don't know anybody; in fact many of us discovered that staying with friends or relatives only complicated matters.
I'm not advertising for them but doctoresparati services seem to be one of the few that don't mind you coming in as late as 36 weeks - most US doctors/hospitals prefer that you register with them much earlier so you need to consider this.

Thank you! Definitely enlightened, I would never have declared it before reading this thread. I was even thinking of crossing by road from Canada to avoid questioning!

I’m surprised Doctores Para Ti isn’t targeted by officials like the Chinese maternity services that I read about online are. They seem to be the best option.

Thanks again for the insight.

Hi All, I’m not Nigerian but I hope it’s ok to ask a few questions - there is so much knowledge in this thread!! I am pregnant and looking to give birth in the USA. I am eligible for ESTA so I don’t believe I will have any visa issues. I’d like to bring my MIL along and she will need one but hopefully I can work out a tourist visa for her.

My main concern is lying about my objective at the POE, I was considering saying I was on a baby moon but everyone in the thread seems to straight up say they are coming to deliver. Doesn’t that risk being denied entry? When I have travelled to the States as a tourist they are mean enough, let alone as a pregnant woman on a mission.

Also, I am having trouble figuring out where to give birth. Hawaii is the closest state to me, is there anyone with info about giving birth there? My second preference would be NYC because that’s the only city where I know a local.

Doctores Para Ti seems to be the only website in English with a birth package, do you know of any in Hawaii or NYC? I sense from the posts that the alternative is googling hospitals and asking for their rates for non insured patients, is that right? Do you ask for these in writing and present them when you arrive, hoping to get the same numbers? If you arrive in the 7th or 8th month do you need many check ups or do you just visit the hospital for the birth?

This is a long shot but I’d love to have a water birth, is this normal in any US hospitals that you know of?

Thanks xx