NothingDoMe:
Yes. Congratulations.

Thank you. I just received an email to notify me that our passports are ready for pick up. I’ll go and pick them up tomorrow.

NothingDoMe:
Check here
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

Don't worry too much imo.

Hi. Thanks for the link. I used the link to track mine and saw "issued" for both mine and my husband's. Does this mean that our visas have been issued?

Mamatukwas:


Congrats Dear You got great rates on the accommodation oh! I don't even know how you guys do it.... on this same Air bnb the rates iv seen for central Chicago is crazy! Still on it though... Thank God for a successful trip, your host deserves an award �

Thank you Mamatukwas.

You can negotiate on Airbnb. You don’t have to pay whatever is quoted on the listing. So when you find an apartment you like, contact the host, introduce yourself and nicely state the price you are willing to pay for the duration of your stay. Some people may shut you down instantly but I found that most people are willing to negotiate with you. My host gave me a substantial discount otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to afford the place as it was in a highbrow neighbourhood a short walk to the hospital. No harm in trying, worst case is they will say no and then you move on to the next listing. No shame in the matter.

feddy27:


Congrats dearie!!!!

Thank you

So in the spirit of giving back ... Gosh I can't stand that line

Oh well, second missionary journey completed to the glory of God!

I used the same hospital and doctor as my first time.

Location- Dallas, Texas
Airline- Qatar. Ticket cost N418k (I will never fly them ever again. My experience with them was an absolute nightmare)

Medical expenses
Hospital fee - $3,000 (Vaginal delivery, 2 days hospital stay)
Doctor's fee - $2,400 (should have been $2,800 but I was allowed to pay my former fee as a return patient after much haggling.This fee is inclusive of all lab tests done at the doctor's clinic, sonogram and prenatal vitamins)
Epidural - $1,000 (Dem nor gree gimme discount . Apparently, this is already the discounted fee for self pay patients)
Hospital Paediatrician - $478 after discount (Original bill was $673)
Paediatrician after discharge - $215 (First visit $75 + second visit @2weeks $65 + $75 for new born screening done during the second visit)
Labs - $82 ($35 for me {original bill was $114} + $47 for baby {original bill was $109})

Total medical bill = $7,175

Declined hearing test and circumcision (they would have cost $330 and $710 respectively).

Documentation
Picked up baby's BC 4 days after birth. Had the passport appointment 7 days after birth, picked up the passport same day. Received baby's SSN 2 weeks after birth. Applied for VOA myself via email, got the approval within 48hours. Paid for it upon arrival. The process was pretty easy and straightforward. Got all my zero balance receipts before departure.

BC - $23 per copy + optional $2 for plastic envelop for safekeeping
Passport - $165 (expedited)
VOA - $190

Accommodation - After my horrible experience living with a family friend during my last missionary journey, I decided to rent a one bedroom apartment via Airbnb. Paid $3,400 for 11 weeks. God blessed me with the most fantastic airbnb host ever. I can't sing her praises enough. She made sure I had everything I needed in the apartment to make me comfortable. She bought a dry mill blender so I could blend my banga and pepper soup spices, bought a bassinet for my baby, books and toys for my toddler daughter and a sweater for my mum when it got cold. She took me to my doctor appointments, to the hospital, passport appointment, shopping, sightseeing and then returned to pick me up afterwards when she could. She took me to pick my husband up from the airport when he arrived and even went to drop him when he was returning. Upon my departure, her car was too small to fit me and my countless bags so she rented a truck just so she could drop us off at the airport. At the airport, she helped with my bags and paid a trolley guy to move my bags to the check in area before leaving. All this she did at no extra cost to me. Even when I offered to buy her fuel for her car, she'd vehemently refuse and tell me I am spending enough already as it is. This is a total stranger o, oyibo woman at that. Someone I didn't know from Adam and had never met before. I was beyond amazed at her hospitality and generosity. She saved me a lot on transportation and made my trip a lot easier. She was simply amazing to my family and I. God bless her immensely!

Mode of transportation - Uber and Lyft. I'd do a price check on both apps and request the cheaper option.

That's all folks. That's as far as my trip went.

Goodluck to everyone still on the journey and congratulations in advance. May it end in praise for everyone of you.

Officially hanging up my child bearing boots! Thank God for everything!!

Flew Qatar at 33weeks from Lagos to Dallas via Doha with my mum & 2 year old daughter for my second missionary journey.

Submitted my MEDIF & fit to fly forms to the Qatar Airways Office 4 days prior to my travel date. I was asked to call back after 24hours for confirmation of approval. I called every day after that, even sent a follow up email but I never got any positive feedback so I proceeded to the airport on my travel date not knowing whether my fit to fly was approved or not.

Lagos Airport
Was asked for my travel approval. Told him I didn't get any, showed him copies of my MEDIF & fit to fly. He called a woman who confirmed I was approved after which he directed me to port health. Paid N1,500 for the fitness certificate. Made photocopies of it. Returned to check my bags in.

Just when I was about to board, I was called out because they had detected liquid in one of my bags. Turned out to be my palm oil even though it was frozen and in a cooler bag. The lady inspecting my bags threatened to seize it, tipped her N2,000 and she let me go.

Lagos to Doha
The flight was absolutely horrendous! Small & uncomfortable seats that didn't recline as well as they should, very limited leg room, horrible food, unpleasant & unhelpful air hostesses, limited entertainment options plus the screen won't go off even when not in use. It was an 11hour flight because we had to fly around the world to get to Doha due to their ongoing ban. By far my worst air travel experience ever!

Doha Airport
The airport staff at Doha were so nice and helpful. I got a ride from the aricraft to the immigration area and then to the airport family room (no hotel accommodation for me cos I bought promo tickets). Had a layover of about 8hrs 40mins. Thinking back it didn't seem that long. In the morning, the same guy came to wake me up and drove me to the gate for the Dallas flight. There was a ladies room to freshen up nearby. No issues boarding, no POE-like interrogation. Just asked to see my fit to fly & that was it.

Doha to Dallas
Much more comfortable seats with more recline & leg room so it was easier to relax & sleep. Warm and helpful air hostesses, same horrible food but the air hostess always checked back on me & gave me another option whenever I didn't like the food. The 15hours flew by fast.

Dallas Airport
Requested for a wheelchair so I skipped the immigration queue. Used the self help kiosk, declared my food. Was wheeled to the POE officer.
Officer: who is the US citizen (refering to my daughter's US passport)
Me: my daughter
Officer: where are you coming from?
Me: Nigeria
Officer: do you live there?
Me: yes I do
Officer: how long are you here for?
Me: 11 weeks
Officer: what brings you to Dallas?
Me: I'm here to have a little vacation with my family and to have my second baby
Officers: Do you have any family here in Dallas?
Me: No
Officer: Where will you be staying?
Me: In an apartment I rented on Airbnb
Officer: Will your husband be joining you?
Me: Yes. He will join us around when the baby is due
Officer: Do you have any appointment with a doctor?
Me: Yes. (Gave her my doctor's correspondence)
Officer: how much cash do you have with you?
Me: About $9,800
Officer: do you have any food items?
Me: yes I have some vegetables
Officer: welcome to Dallas. Enjoy your stay (Stamped us in for 6 months & directed us to agriculture)

Agriculture
Skipped the queue again thanks to the wheelchair.
Officer: where are you from?
Me: Nigeria
Officer: what food items do you have in your bags
Me: Vegetables
Officer: do you have egusi, ogbono, oha, moi moi, ofada rice?
Me: I have bitter leaves, egusi, ogbono, palm oil but no ofada rice, oha or moi moi
Officer: why not? (laughs)
Me: because we don't eat those where I'm from (I just had to say something)
Officer: Any meat or livestock items?
Me: No.
Officer: screens my bags, opens one to search, then my daughter starts running all over the place & I was trying to stop her so he closed the bag & let's me go.

C'est fini!

Vanekj:
Thanks @Dwebb55 and Modath. After intensive research both on Nairaland and online i've told DH that i'm porting. The cost from MD no be hear o!. Considering Houston and Virginia as you mentioned

Please fellow Nairalanders, haven't seen much post here on Virginia hospitals. Any one with a contact or relevant information about Virginia please help a sister.

Also considering using either Oakbend hospital or Elpaso. Since i have family in Maryland plan is to travel at 32 weeks to Maryland and then move to Texas closer to due date (at least to save some accommodation cost in Texas) then return to Maryland after birth before coming back to Naija. I plan to say all this during my Interview. I've read so much about honesty and all during interviews on this platform. Please advise me if i'm on the right track.

Please anyone with Direct contact with EL-paso or Oakbend please email me @ Vanekj03@yahoo.com. Or let me know so i can send PM you. i hope i got that right. I'm still a bit new to how Nairaland works though...Lol

Thanks Guys!

Most doctors tell you that you have to be in for your first appointment by a certain time usually by 32/33 weeks of gestation, have you considered that?

Assuming that's not an issue, have you thought about the cost of your prenatal checks in Maryland during your stay there before you move on to Texas? Who will handle your prenatal care in Maryland? Won't you have to pay another doctor in Maryland for that? What if your baby comes earlier than expected? What if you have an emergency? What's the cost of transportation to and fro Texas? How much will you really be saving at the end of the day? Is that figure really worth all the hassle? At the end of the day, you "may" find that getting an affordable accomodation in Houston/El Paso may be cheaper for you in the long run.

In as much as you want to save cost which I absolutely understand, you have to be careful with your decisions so as not to end up being penny wise pound foolish.

I'm not sure who you've been talking to but I know loads of people (including myself) who have had their babies in various hospitals in Dallas and I've never heard about Dallas not having straight forward or transparent billing especially when you do your research properly.

You may want to do a quick search on the thread, read a few experiences yourself and maybe get in touch with a few people to enable you make an informed and unbiased decision.

If you ask me, I don't see why you should go all the way to El Paso if Dallas is more convenient for you and your Mum and even sums up to be cheaper overall considering all aspects of your costs (i.e. medical bills, accommodation and welfare inclusive). $2,800 is a whole lot of money to save!

PS: This is just my opinion, I don't claim to know it all.

doreese:
Oh thanks @Mamacajah. Am new to Nairaland so am not sure how to contact you. You are right about some dallas hospitals cos a colleague just confirmed that she kept getting more bills even after paying the bills stated. I have factored in baby's ticket. If I add mom's own it may be up to $2,800 dollars I'll be saving if I opt for dallas. I can actually afford El Paso but I was rethinking based on the following

1. No direct flight: not sure of the policy of connecting airlines

2. If I have to book a local flight i gather I might av to pay for extra luggage

3. May find it difficult adding baby's ticket

4. The flight hours and the stops will be too much for my mom as she will be travelling alone considering she will be coming much later

To the house please has anyone used jps in Dallas? Was the bill as stated? Or did you get funny bills after.

Thanks in anticipation.

I don't know about 90k promo o especially in this economy. However I bought Qatar Lagos to Dallas return for 414k yesterday that's if you don't mind the 8/13hrs layover.

Babatwi:

Na promo you call this one? I miss the days of 90k promo

Please let me know when you eventually find one. I'm still searching too

YETI28:
Hello house, aby body know have any accommodation in dallas or carrolton, pls just need an affordable accommodation close to carrolton where my hospital is. Pls if it's for us to share let me know let's talk about it. Thnks

Ok. Just sent an email to your email address.

oadeyeye:
Ah! I've checked didn't get the mail.

Hi Adeola,

I replied your PM yesterday, please check your email.

oadeyeye:
hello Terese69,

am an october mum, Dallas bound first week september, i tried sending a PM( not sure if you got it or maybe i dunno how to use it) please i like to get some details from you, will appreciate your response. My email adeola182002@yahoo.com

MiddyO:
@terese69 please I sent you a pm .Please reply its urgent. Thank you.

I replied you almost immediately after I received your PM 3 days ago but you didn't respond.

As long as you travel before your visa expires, it doesn't matter if your visa expires during your trip. What matters is that leave the US before the expiration of the duration which you were stamped in for by the POE/immigration officer.

cutegold:
hello guys,

Please assist. My visa expires on the 5th of November, but am due for Oct 5th.
Now the question is, what if the baby comes a bit late, how long does it take to process the baby's docs. So i can meet up before my visa expiry.

Any advice pls?

Is that to say there's no need to share new discoveries/information about hospitals and doctors that have not been explored on the thread before? Cos that's what I did the last few times my posts were deleted and I didn't mean to violate any rule, I was just trying to help.

justwise:
@All

Please lets stop advertising for hospitals here indirectly, we have shared more than enough info here to help anybody who is interested.

If somebody really need info about hospitals or visa issues they will find it with a simple search.

Thank you.

Are there airlines doing sales promo at the moment? The prices of tickets I have been seeing lately can give someone a heart attack! What are the cheapest airlines you've found so far?

Yes I did. Thanks a lot. I replied you earlier, did you get it?

MissG:


Hi Terese69,

Did you get my mail?

Hi Uzy, send me a PM and I'll reply with the address. I don't think I'm allowed to post it here.

uzyfine:
Pls can anyone help me with dr stimage email address, am really finding it difficult getting them on phone. Any affordable accommodation around Baylor Scott and white medical center Carrollton Dallas will be highly appreciated.

DaTma:

OK thanks alot...I just did as you advice but doctoresparati clearly states they do not undergo VBAC, will appreciate any other contact that do this since VBAC is my option...thank you

You can check out @olokings posts. His wife had a VBAC in Dallas if you are willing to consider Dallas.

uzyfine:
still searching for cheap ticket, that are not smiling at all, i plan leaving by June but that depends a friend promised free accommodation in Dallas but she has to talk to mum in law first, still waiting for her feedback

Pls keep us posted on the airline you eventually decide to use and the price you get. Thanks.

Pardon my unsolicited advice but as for accommodation, I'd have a solid Plan B if I were you.

Yaaayyy!!! It's so exciting to know we are all going to be in Dallas at about the same time. The more the merrier.

Let's keep in touch.

MissG:


Hello Iphiechuks/Terese69

I am also Dallas bound Last week in August. I will be having my baby in Baylor Scott & White Frisco, this will be my second time using them.

I will be staying in Allen and would like to connect.

iphiechuks:
I will be staying with family friend in Allen. Leaving mid or last week in August.

Shoot! That's right. I conveniently forgot you had told me that before.. lol

YoungMetrosG:
Hey!!! Epidural is now a flat $1k. Company in charge is called Noble Anaesthesia

The service is free. The $50 fee does not apply to notarising a Statement of Consent i.e form DS-3053.

anonymousmum:


Hi Ozy, just to be clear, the form is free, but is the notary service at the embassy free?

Yes. I used epidural and I paid $700 for it.

Will definitely keep in touch.

Will you be putting up with family or renting a place in Dallas?

iphiechuks:
Hello Dear Terese69, thanks so much. Did u use epidural? I will also be heading to Dallas Mid August pls let's keep in touch.

Concerning ticket, I have not started searching seriously.

Hi Iphie,

I'm a Dallas bound Mama hopefully mid/late August.

I had my daughter at Baylor Scott and White, White Rock Lake, Dallas in 2015. My entire medical bill all-inclusive was $7,031 but for a vaginal delivery. Don't know about CS but you can find out.

No idea about tickets, I'll be flying from Lagos and I haven't started looking seriously. Have you found cheaper options yet?

What accommodation options are you looking at?

iphiechuks:
Good day beautiful pple,

Any Dallas bound Mama for Late July or early Aug

I will love to know how to shop for reasonable ticket from Abuja to Fort Worth Dallas. The ones that I am seeing are too expensive, a little below 2mil for myself and my 2year old boy.

I dont know if there is other cheaper hospital that anyone on this thread has used, I used Medical Centre of Plano in 2015 and had emergency CS, I was charged over 11k.

It's always great to read good POE stories from Houston

MrsSugar:
Hello all
Thanks once again for this great forum,I honestly don't know how the testimony I had last month would have been possible. Shared my stories already

Got in to Houston yesterday and want to share my Poe story,another victory testimony.

reniduke:
Hi Mrs sugar, im in houston too. got in on wednesday.

Wow! Congratulations!!!

dyout:
Time to give back on our second POE and child birth:

DW got fit to fly from a Govt hospital and also did port health at the airport, paid 1500 Naira at MM1
On the 2nd of March, DW flew Qatar airline with 14 months super active son and mom to Dallas

I know someone going to Dallas today with Qatar. Haven't heard any such news.

Enyinne:
Gdmornin my people . Biko I need urgent clarification on this . Is it true Qatar airways is not going to USA . Hv someone flew them of recent to USA .as am billed to travel by April using Qatar and am going thru Dubai .
Pls answer with any info on this ,kindly provide before I will hv heartache .lol

favouredmum:
Good morning House,

Any October/November mum in the house looking at Houston, Chicago and Kansas can pls reach out to me.

Had my first child in 2015 and used OBMC and Dr. E.

Looking to explore a different state this time around but then again accommodation is another issue here.

October Mum here

Had my first in Dallas (2015), now I'm thinking I may try Houston. Still thinking...