So so sorry about your experience. Do take heart!

It's only an interview that gives you the opportunity to present your case and documents that support your intention to give birth. You cannot do that via interview waiver aka drop box. I'll suggest you call the contact line to ask if you can switch interview type, failing which you may have to make a new application.

BOA funds needed here...

Google is your best friend. Search 'obtain US passport for minor'. You should have done all this research before now.

Please which hospital was this?

Sister, try to read up a bit on this thread. There's a lot of
useful information already on Houston in particular, that will aid your planning and preparation.

Petiteashitta:
Hello House please help me with information regarding childbirth in Dallas or Texas.I need hospital cost,Doctor’s fee and accommodation.Please help me.

Convenience is relative. You need to decide what factors are most important for you. Is it cost or availability of family / friends?

mabok:
Good day everyone, pls which state in the usa is the most convenient to give birth? i want to travel in march but due in july.

Your main budget item is the total cost for delivery, which you've not captured.

Hawttattoo:
Merry Christmas all..
I'm preparing budget sheet for my interview next year.
I will be travelling with my 3 kids (3yrs-9years)
I arrived at $8,751 ( #3,195million). Please is the budget sufficient for the 4 of us?
Is there anything I need to add?

Please Gurus in the house..help.
Thanks

It's not unusual. Some people get acceptance letters from doctors, use them to get visa and never show up. Some doctors have gotten wiser, hence the request for a 'token' down payment which is typically deducted from your overall bill.

chinnycliff2:
[Vlesparza post=74212028]

www.doctoresparati.com


Thank you so much for this. I've Been contacting different doctors. And most of them ask to pay some amount of money before getting an acceptance letter to schedule appointment. Is this normal pls. Am a first time mum. Thank u

OK, then they'll get back to you., as there appears to be no issue against you pet se. You just need to be a little patient; hopefully won't take too long.

[quote author=Lankeh post=74000400][/quote]

nasohian:
For a working class person who does not want to loose most part of her 3 months maternity leave before delivery can you advise;

Please what is the maximum number of weeks of pregnancy can one be allowed to fly out from Lagos to the US.example using Delta Airlines.

Also what is the number of weeks is exceeded and the pregnant lady agrees to sign a consent form of non liability to the airline,will this be accepted?

Suggest you check Delta Airlines website for this. Most airlines is 28 weeks.

Non liability? First off, no airline provides such. So if you go into labour on the flight, what happens?

What was stated on your visa when it was cancelled? Depending on what was stamped, in extreme cases, they may have to go back to CBP/DHS in USA before the visa can be reissued, since it was cancelled at the POE.Bottom line, they need to investigate further. Sometimes, administrative processing can take up to 6 months IF they need to go back to US authorities.

Lankeh:
In March this year I travelled to US for vacation. At Chicago POE I was denied entry because my supposed host didn't pick up his phone when they tried to call him. Unfortunately I was traveling with a friend whose husband and children are living illegally in the US. Mine visa was cancelled and I was asked to apply for a new visa when I get to Lagos. My friends visa was revoked. We we're put on the next flight to Lagos.
I didn't apply immediately as they suggested. Instead I travelled to UK for my vacation after two weeks because I already have a UK Visa.
Now i am pregnant and I intend to give birth in America. I attended the Visa interview on Monday at the US embassy and this is how it went:
V.O: Gd morning madam
Me: Gd morning sir
V.O: Why do you want to travel to the US
Me: For vacation with my husband and also to deliver my baby
V.O: Does your husband has a visa
Me: Yes
V.O: Where is it
Me: Not here
V.O: What's his name
Me: I told him
(Looks through the system and found it)
V.O: How long are you guys staying
Me: My husband 2wks, I am staying to deliver my baby.
V.O: What happened in March when you travelled to the US.
Me: i explained.
V.O: Can I see you bank statement and any correspondence with the doctor
Me: I passed both to him
He looked through and gave me a white form explaining that my application will go through further administrative process and I will be contacted when they are through.
Please what does this mean. Am I likely to be given the Visa?

Yes, helpful! Many thanks.

babythug:


I would suggest/advice that you ease up on pressuring her to eat! Truth is we cannot all be foodies.

If you’re able to get breakfast into her system then let her off with whatever little else she eats for the rest of the day!

Even a few spoons at other meal times is alright in my opinion till she develops more interests in food.

Avoid giving her snacks during the day maybe fruits but no biscuits and the likes.

After a few minutes take the plate away and try not to get into all that crying and force feeding that we typically would do as mums.

Since the nanny gets a few meals in then she’s ok

Good luck and hope this helps!

Hello mums. Baby girl is 12 months old but refuses to eat solids. Whenever it's food time and she sees a plate and spoon, she just starts to cry. If you succeed in getting the food into her mouth, she'll just keep it in there and refuse to swallow. After a while she will spit it out. She does this with different types of food - cereal, pap, sweet potato, rice, beans (all Blended), Amala and ewedu. Appears its not the type of food, she just dies not want to swallow. Her nanny, is able to get her to eat a few times. When she refuses to eat, she will gladly take a bottle of milk. Any help / advise will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hello mama Iyanu!

Mamaiyanu:
Yeps

Many thanks. She actually eats Amala and ewedu like 2ce a week. Also rice, beans, Porato - I have to cook and blend all these for her to eat, and mealtime is always crying time oh. Thanks to her nanny that perseveres with feeding her. Can they eat pound yam at this age? 9m. It's only Amala swallow I have tried for her.

Thanks for the link too!

Onegai:


Break out the amala!! Seriously. My child had this issue and we were struggling with cereals. Some kids hate the taste of cereals and formula after a while. My nieces was delighted with Ogbono soup at 8 months



https://nefescorner.com/6-food-hacks-for-your-baby-and-toddler/

Sadly, I've closed my breast milk factory. I was an exclusive pumper so she was largely bottle fed after a while. I stopped around 8 months (was a big challenge with work) and switched to 100% formula. I feel she won't be getting enough milk if it's only with cereal that she takes once a day.

greatp80:


My 9 months doesn't even drink formula at all.In fact he doesn't feed from the bottle . So I mix d formula with his cereals. He is still on breast milk.
Try to mix with her cereals, you might increase the quantity.

Sadly, I've closed my breast milk factory. I was an exclusive pumper so she was largely bottle fed after a while. I stopped around 8 months and switched to 100% formula. I feel she won't be getting enough milk if it's only with cereal that she takes once a day.

greatp80:


My 9 months doesn't even drink formula at all.In fact he doesn't feed from the bottle . So I mix d formula with his cereals. He is still on breast milk.
Try to mix with her cereals, you might increase the quantity.

Hello mums. My 9 month old baby suddenly does not like taking her formula. She struggles to finish 120 or 150 mls. We started on Nan, then changed to SMA but she still will just play with it. She's not a particularly good eater with cereals and other meals. Any ideas on getting her to drink milk will be appreciated. Many thanks!

Its the same site. You should choose yes, that you need a visa for travel. When do you want to apply for visa? That should be the date you indicate that you need your passport by. I just checked, with your 14 March travel date, if you indicate you need the passport by 14 February, it will give you a 13 February appointment.

peace004:
When I tried to fill in d appointment online, d first question ask was
"Do u av international travel plans?" when I click on yes I was ask for travel date which I put in 14th March & when I click on next it says am not eligible for an urgent travel appointment.

Or is it dat am booking for appointment through d wrong website?

Here is the website I tried:

https://passportappointment.travel.state.gov/

Is it a US$ card? BA does not accept NGN cards. I've used a Stanbic US$ card to buy a ticket. This was last year.

Mamatukwas:
I have also been trying to buy a BA ticket online but my Naija cards aren't working, at least Access bank isn't.

Please if you know any bank card that works or any way I can go about this kindly let me know. P.S- I am currently in the U.K. Thanks.

On the appointment request form, you are asked when you need your passport by. That's what determines what appointment slots you get. I got my passport at the Houston agency on 9th January. Travel date at the time was 29 Jan. I booked online on 3rd Jan for a 8th Jan appointment.

peace004:
Good day mama's & papa's in d house,
My missionary journey is almost coming to an end but I av been facing little challenges.
Pls Houston Tx mama's who av recently done dere LO passport, How did u go about it..?

Though I tried applying for appointment but was decline due to my travel date to 9ja is above 2wks, I don't know if is a new system now for I want to get my LO passport ready on time so I can pay flight ticket & send mail for visa on arriver on time.

Pls I will be grateful for d info on how to get d passport done without waiting for my departure to b 2wks...thanks

Hello ladies. First post on this thread.

You are close to the reason. Nestlé did it so as to promote some of their more infant friendly cereals! My sister works there.

FloraEC:


They've changed it. Is it that the cereal is not advisable for only babies and for weaning or they wrote that cos they want their other products to sell which is mainly babies food? I've googled it and I didn't see any reason and the nutritional value is almost the same with other cereal or is it the sugar content cos some babies food and milk are too sweet self.

Na Them know wetin them dy hide cos when you place a warning, you suppose to give reasons for it. I'll stop shaa

Thanks! Texas Children's is not smiling AT ALL. I met with them today after earlier phone conversations and I was told categorically that they are a specialist hospital, they don't negotiate bills and the maximum discount they would give is 15%. On fact, the guy said if I leave my bills unpaid it will affect my re-entry into the country!


[quote author=oluwafunkenny post=64339242]I thank God for you for the gift of Life, may He perfect all that concerns you and your family. My baby then went for a test at Texas Children Medical centre and was billed about $1k (it came few days to leaving), l was offered no discount but was able to pay installmentally (9months). Yours is somehow very high and you need to use all means to get discount, you can explore using Dr F. And the hospital that referred you. (Before my delivery, my obgyn was able to speak to her colleague who is a paed at TCH and she waived Dr fee for myvisits).
Above all, pray for favor and God will grant you cheers.

Anyone with recent experience please or any suggestions on how to get across to the NIS people? Please help a sister!

Supernaturalone:
Please who has done visa on arrival recently? How long did it take to get the final approval? Applied last Thursday and no approval yet...

Please who has done visa on arrival recently? How long did it take to get the final approval? Applied last Thursday and no approval yet...

[quote author=OnJosh1 post=64280698]


THANK GOD that you and your baby are fine. As advised, tell them you are a self pay patient and that the bill is too high, ask for a reduction especially if you are looking to pay at once. I pray GOD'S Favour for you so that your bill is reduced to what you can afford as is your heart's desire IN JESUS NAME; AMEN

Amen! Will do that...

I have a few questions cus I'm doing my research for Passport etc while waiting for baby's arrival, I've got limited time to return to Naija after EDD, so I'm trying to find out what can be done immediately baby arrives and or expedited.

1. I don't know of SSN being expedited as I did not look into it. I've read people say here that you can call the office to confirm number. I was discharged on 25th Dec and I got mine in the mail on 4th Jan. That being said, I would have gone ahead with US passport application anyway. I had already filled in zeros on the ds11 form.As all you'll be required to do is to sign a statement at your passport interview, that you've never been issued a SSN

2. I went to the passport agency downtown Houston. Normal time frame at Fort Bend is 4 to 6 weeks and expedited is 2-3 weeks (also stated on their website). This was cutting a bit close to my travel date that's why I went downtown. I was targeting an appointment date for Mon 8th Jan because that was when my husband would be available. I filled in that I needed my passport by 9th Jan as I was to apply for visa, even though the travel date I had at the time was 30 Jan. So when asked at the agency, I told them I was travelling on 30th but needed to apply for visa immediately. We were told to pick up on Wednesday, but requested a next day pick up as my husband was traveling on Wednesday and he would be the one to pick up. I was given the mail in option too but the lady suggested I may not get it till following week. You can choose either pick up or pay for return mail.

3. I used a US bank card on Amazon. If you select pay in Naira on Amazon, Stanbic will still charge you at the going rate so don't be deceived by Naira rate. I work in Stanbic so I know that. Someone has to pay the difference all the same. I'm not even aware that our cards are now open for fx payments.

My husband was around on that day, so did not need consent letter.

Tnk God for safe delivery. Keep calling them and let them know u r self paid i think the price wud definitely come down.
Pls did u u consent letter from embassy in nig? [b][/b][/quote]

I arrived Texas on 24 Nov (shared my POE experience at the time). Had my first appointment with Dr Fagbohun on Tuesday, 28 Nov. I was scheduled for level II ultrasound and some additional tests (no additional payment for these). Dr Fagbohun has 3 different locations, so I ended up visiting the 3 locations depending on what day my weekly appointments were scheduled for and which location he was meant to be. I registered at Oakbend on 04 Dec after my level II ultrasound and paid $3950 for CS.

Dr F scheduled my CS for Friday, 22 Dec and was asked to come in on Friday morning for prepping. My baby girI subsequently arrived at 3.21pm. My husband was around for the delivery as well as my 2 other kids and had to travel back a few days after. On Saturday evening, it was discovered that she had jaundice so she had to be moved to the NICU for phototherapy. I was meant to be discharged on Sunday, but when the Dr realized my baby was still on admission, she asked me to stay till Monday. My baby was discharged on Monday, 25 Dec after the Dr from Sunrise (Pediatrician) said the bili (jaundice) level had dropped. Good experience overall at Oakbend. Before I left, I paid Sunrise bill (the account person usually comes around). They usually charge $280 for 1st day and $200 for subsequent days and give 20% discount; so I should have paid $544 but because my baby was in NICU, my total bill came to $2224 after 20% discount. They charge $1500 for 1st day and $500 for subsequent days. Got zero balance letter in the hospital. I was asked, which Pediatrician I was using for follow up visits. I was given a list of pediatricians in the area but I really had no basis for selecting at random and there was none particularly close to my residence. As I didn’t know any other, I decided to continue with Sunrise. I think Sunrise are pricey though. I paid $125 for the first visit (4 days after discharge) $100 for 2nd visit (2 week check) the 3rd visit (one month) would cost me $150 if I go. If I had known, I would have looked for a cheaper option, as my baby was not even seen by the Dr on both visits at Sugarland location but by some other medical person. Newborn screening is done before you leave the hospital and a subsequent one ordered at the 2-week visit, which required blood work to be done and I had to go back to the hospital; got this done at West Houston because Oakbend was pricey i.e. $100+ vs $30 or so.

For my baby purchases, I did most of it on Amazon, which worked well for me. I did not have the energy to start going around stores, so online shopping for me. I set up a registry and put all my items in there. Amazon gives you a 10% discount on all items in the registry. For prime members, you get 15%. When it comes to most baby gear, I usually find Amazon prices to be very competitive – car seat, stroller, breast pump, name it. I also bought diapers and wipes, for which you get 20% off diaper prices and 15% off wipes, through their subscribe and save program – best deals I’ve seen on huggies.

I completed paperwork for birth certificate before I left on 25 Dec and picked up birth certificate from Fort Bend County on Friday, 29 Dec - $23 per copy (they don’t accept checks and will charge a small fee if you pay with card). I received SSN the following week. Booked appointment online for US passport at the Agency for 08 Jan. My husband was around for that so no need for consent letter. He picked up the next day. Expedited costs $165 in all – they accept most forms of payment. I had to retake my baby’s passport photo at the agency because the one I took at Walgreens was not accepted. I don’t understand why passport photos are so expensive. Walgreens charged me $16+ for 2 copies while the one I retook at the agency cost $20. I made sure I collected my money back from Walgreens since theirs was not accepted. I have called BA to add my baby to my ticket and applied for VOA on Thurs, 11 Jan, got an acknowledgement the next day and still waiting to hear from them.

After discharge, I paid for the Anesthesia bill over the phone ($1500) and also Brown & Associates ($143). I’ve got zero balance letters from Oakbend, Dr F and US Anesthesia. Just realized now that I don’t have anything from B&A yet, will have to chase up on that.

Now, to a big issue I experienced here. At my baby’s first follow up visit, on Fri 29 Dec, the medical person ordered blood work to be done to check the jaundice level again. I went to Oakbend and had to pay $111 just for blood work! Anyway, the Dr called me that Friday night to say the jaundice level had spiked again and I had to take her to ER at Texas Children’s Hospital that night. So I bundled her and my sister and her husband took us to Texas Children’s at Katy. They ran another test on her and said it had gone up again within those few hours and said they would have to move her to their main campus at the medical center. That’s how they got an ambulance and hooked up my little girl and took us to main campus where she was admitted to NICU IV and under phototherapy treatment. I was going to visit her daily as could not stay in the hospital. Thankfully she responded well and the Drs there said they had to keep her until the levels come very low, so it won’t rebound. She was discharged on 01 January. After discharge, I started calling for the bill but the hospital said it will take some time to finalise. I have now been advised of a bill of $2k+ for Dr and $16k+ for the hospital. We are still speaking plenty English till now! But I’m trusting God for favour all the way as this can naturally destabilize a person. I’m scheduled to travel back to Lagos next week.

So this is my missionary story! The Bible says in everything, give thanks. I thank God we are alive and well and it will all end in greater praise.

Would be useful to have Lagosniv and Abujaniv weigh in on this "new development"

LI:
You're welcome Mamaron. Congrats too.



I agree with you here. To think that the VO went on record here to infer that the change-of-intent email is basically just spam.

I concur. This is what I did on my previous birthing trip. I also called BA again to find out process for current baby on the way and they said same thing. You'll get a quote and you can pay at the airport.

Quin17:


Make the reservation over the phone and pay on departure at the airport( BWI )thats what my cousin did. Get there earlier so you hv time to sort it out.