₦airaland Forum

Supernaturalone:
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

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.

MamaOO:
Na day old pikin dem carry oo. Less than 40mins flight. My mailbox was filled with bills when we came home and when I saw that bill ehn, I just laughed, because this one don pass cry. Lol

missexiest:
Hello mamas,i noticed the immunization schedule I was given in us is different from the one ww use here in nigeria.Was told theres no 4 months immunization that its 14 weeks,my baby is 4 months n I want her to get her immunizations tommorow pls mamas is there any other vaccine they give here thats not in the attached picture n hope its not too late to give her the 14 weeks immunization at 18weeks?

Iyaboonibipe:
Twins mama I tried sending you an email in respect of the visa ob arrival. Pls I need some information. Kindly check.

Thanks

Latolly:
@temyb
Thanks God bless. Pls how do I go abt this letter from immigration. .....biko I can call or email you. I appreciate the time ure giving me o despite your hand being double full o.

mrstaye:
welcome back @temyb and congrats on your successful journey , my kisses to your girls. Your life and story is indeed a testimony.You are really a strong woman .How did you eventually sort out the NICU bills?

Latolly:
@ temyb
Pls my sis, abeg didn't emirate ask for Naija Visa for the twins, I want to tow your line o and go for visa on arival, these Naija visa prices are not looking good o in this dollar craze.

House
Heard Tanko no longer does visa....pls is this true or Na faboo?

TripleKMama:
Tanks. I've downloaded Lyft n set my pick-up location. U mean to say my first ride na free?

Reporting live from Lasgidi,home sweet home. I just had time away from my darlings. Just back to lasgidi almost 2 weeks ago but the journey back was so eventful.
I and my mom got to the airport late as a matter of fact we were the last,emirate decided to capitalise on that. Me sef show them fire,they were so nasty&were bahaving like I didn't pay for my flight. As cards were declining I couldn't pay for the twins ticket online,had to pay at the airport. I had 13 bags that included 2 car seats and 1 twin stroller. Their manager started acting up when he saw my luggage, that we would pay $600. I was like eh,no way. In between my babies were crying,only the ladies were so kind to assist me. I literally screamed at him to just shut up,my mom was the one begging and telling me to shut up. The rubbish manager even said they wouldn't fly us&I told him point blank that I wouldn't fly too but would collect my return ticket money&report him for been rude&acting up.
But the ladies were kind enough to help us rearrange the bags&one of the ladies said we should pay $350 for excess this same man said no way $600 or no way. I told told him off that I want my bags back,my mom was just begging the man cis she had to be in lagos unfailingly for a meeting on monday. She eventually paid $400,it pained me o cos it was suppose to be like $300 even though I has budgetted $300 for excess as stroller and car seats were checked in free.
The ladies were so helpful and courteous&helped me all through. Again luckily for us,a Ghanaian woman say us from afar and came to help me cross the immigration easily with the stroller. The American immigration officers were even playing with the twins,before we knew it emirate staffs were already at the other side waiting for us. The Ghanaian woman helped us with our stroller till we got to the plane&stroller was taken from me that I would get it in dubai.
We got bassinet for the twins and they behave so well,no crying but eat and sleep for the 14hrs to dubai. Another wahala in dubai,they didn't give me my stroller o. The kind waka we waka to the point where a bus took us to a hotel was rubbish. Their own stroller was dirty and not working properly,I was alost crying. My mom was just taking her time,I was just like this emirate should have just provided a train to take us to where to get our visa for 1 day. I was not just in the mood with diaper bag and napsack heavy ones on my back. Luckily for us,someone saw us and told us to go to baggage claim within the airport to get a good stroller or ask for my own. When I saw the long process to get it,I gave up and went for their own stroller in the baggage claim after using almost over 1 hr to get to our we would connect to the hotel. Hotel was good and then we proceed the next day for our last dubai-lags flight. The air hostess were so nice,plenty food and they were always checking on the twins in the bassinet.
We finally landed in lasgidi on Sunday 3pm another wahala,all through the journey my mind was on our luggagesite. With the way I invested in diapers in like 3 bags plus all my babies new clothes from people that are in 2 bags. My mind was not at rest as that rubbish manager already told me that my bags might not even get to lags. After we were done with immigration as we has to do Visa On Arrival,$200 each better than taking a flight to atlanta or paying $375 for 1 visa per baby in this dollar in smiling,my oga will not hear it. With all our previous spending and still paying,me sef I respect myself.
Fast forward,luggages started coming in and I was wide at alert. My husband was calling me as God would have it,he knew someone that brought him in. The joy on his face when he saw his babies was full. I ran back to get our bags,meanwhile my husband was calling to know how far. Finally got all our bags but within a twinkle of am eye my phone got missing. I was like ehhh,now now. Welcome to Nigeria, I scattered my hand bag and diaper bags nothing. I screamed on those boys that help to carry bags that they took my phone,when my husband knew what was happening he was very angry. Someone then said we should go and report and the airport police station. Meanwhile we were already using almost 2hrs o,I heard that the man in charge of the police station at the airport is a no nonsense man that my phone would come out. Lo and behold just as we were getting to the police station,my brother called my husband that they had found my phone just beside our luggages. Hian,the man in charge of the police station laughed and laughed,he knew what had happened. By the time I saw the phone,the scream guard was almost removed and my sim card was almost removed. I just quietly carried myself out of the airport. Shame on them,after 4months away my welcome home was that they want to steal my phone.
Got home to a bowl of pounded yam with vegetable soup plus the rice and stew made by my husband. Noplace like home,resting at home. Still on leave,my boss told me to take my time. My girls are wonderful,they don't even disturb at night. For now,told my husband no visitor,I want to rest till next week. My husband has been bonding so well with the girls,infact nursing father. Already went for BCG
All thanks to God Almighty for the success of this missionary journey,I went as 1 but came back as 3. Nah God ooo,thank u to all that were praying for us and those that look out for us. God bless you guys.
Sorry for the long epistle,had to take time to write this as my angels are sleeping

owoola:
Has anyone delivered in Dallas or Arlington area? Which Hospital or Dr would you recommend and what are the prices? I will appreciate relatively cheap ones with good services too. Also discounts if possible? Thanks

TripleKMama:
Pls does this Lyca mobile call USA as well as naija? Cos u only mentioned 300 mins to call naija. Pls anyone with details help. I'm not feeling this T-Mobile tho Whatsapp has been my saving grace. Thanks.
Who posted free coupon for Uber or Lyft? I need am now

TeeteeK:
Pls which twin stroller did you get and how much did you get it?

mumzt:
It's free. Diaper bag too is part of baby's hand luggage

feddy27:
Your stroller + car seat is free. Diaper bag too, it does not constitute part of baby's 23kg. Your diaper bag should not be checked in, it shld be baby's hand luggage. Also, give them the stroller+car seat at the door of the aircraft and request to av it bak in dubai if u av a long transit. This will make things easy for you.

How are the twinnies doin? I can imagine the victorious welcome that awaits them! All the best dear

missexiest:
I want to apply for my daughters nigerian passport,pls how many days does it take to be ready or wil I get it the same day of my appointment at the nigerian house in washington dc?

Nnystc:
Hi,
Check my last post from yesterday i think. I put in a link there for how to obtain Nigerian visa without agents. Costs about $200 for non-expedited, and its a straightforward process.

adupif:
Hello,


Will be glad if someone could help out with Emirates Ticket for a baby and how to go about it.

Did you call before getting to the airport
Can it only be purchased at the airport
Was it a one way or return
How much did it cost
What is the baggage allowance

Thank you.

ayanuke:
temyb, how are u and the girls? Just checking up on you sis, stay strong.

Lajoie33:
Good evening everybody o. I hope all is well with everyone. If I missed any birth announcements, then a BIIIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the new mums. This belle de do me serious something. It's like me n my toddler are competing for 'who will spend more time in the hospital' but God de. He will never leave anyone of us halfway through our journey.

I was waiting to give a testimony of how I did dropbox renewal strictly on the info I got on this thread,but now I need help. I applied for renewal on thursday, today I check my dashboard and I see I've been invited for followup appointment. I dont know what to do, what it means, what I need for the appointment... I tried searching for "dropbox", "dropbox renewal" "dropbox visa renewal" I got nothing. Maybe it's the pounding head, maybe it's all the uncertainty surrounding my pregnancy right now, maybe it's just preggy brains but I dont know how else to get the info I need. So I'm begging, can anyone help me? Please... Justwise... LadyG, Nef...FTYmum... anyone... please I take God beg una. Help save a soul. Thank you in advance

firsttymum:
So today I was thinking... If u go through the ttc thread and ivf especially ivf thread Hmmm.... You'll melt...

So I felt if u can freely and willingly donate eggs especially if u know one who's in need pls do.
I wanted to discuss surrogacy but that'll take personal conviction.
These people are spending alot... OMG a whole lot. So pls I indulge us to visit and pray and do what you can as d spirit leads (like donate eggs, surrogacy) . During ur devotion pray for them or even if it's only one person.. Pick a name and pray.

God bless us all.

LagosNIV:
It takes as along as it takes for us to receive the requested information.