₦airaland Forum

hmmm...seems my guess is valid. I'm following for more experiences.
nawa o.
but my hubby indeed went to the embassy to get ours done but we didn't pay a dime. Maybe some things have changed for real..

Xclusivemaama:
This new year will bring us uncommon testimonies.
I had my princess on the 12th of Dec. 2017. I was so misinformed that I delayed the process in getting her international pas

I got there in time for the appointment and gave all the documents needed only to be told that the notary our DH sends to us is no longer valid as DH has to go to the US embassy in Nigeria to get the notary or be present at the US passport agency.

Apparently, this is a new rule that started yesterday 1 JAN., 2018. DH needs appointment date to get this notary and this is another delay for me as I need to get back to Nigeria soonest. Please, is this the same in your state. The social security is not needed when obtaining the international passport. Let's share this and talk about it.



I just got a mail from the US passport office too now...Same notarization problem...My hubby is in Ph and im scheduled to leave US next week Thursday...
How do i fix this quickly? Have you done anything bout urs? U guys shud help me o

Happy new year everyone in the house.
I thought I had sent his yesterday.
**Pls I would love to know if US embassy now charges $50 for notary services? When I patronized them Nov 2016, I don't think we paid o. A friend just drew my attention to it and I'd like a quick answer from those who have used the service recently.
Many thanks.
Re: https://ng.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

TKM Jnr turned d big 1 two weeks ago. Praise God!!
Special shout out to my NL mommas & papas, all NJ crew & Dr Fares fans
Na work make me scarce like dis. Happy celebrations & Merry Christmas! Love y'all.

$10,000 sold out. At N362.
Thanks for asking.

TripleKMama:
Someone has dollars for sale at N364. Abuja residents preferably.
Pls holla
Only serious interests pls. I'm a full time career mom

Someone has dollars for sale at N364. Abuja residents preferably.
Pls holla
Only serious interests pls. I'm a full time career mom

Peeps jus dey run helter skelter in d name of birthing abroad. Some wan copy other pipo's experience verbatim.
Dis race is very personal o. Grab all d advice,tips n experiences and tailor dem to suit u. Peeps be asking funny kweshions sha!
Some pipo stil dey find shared accommodation for Chicago till thy kingdom come. It is well.
#JulyMusings

TripleKMama:
Spot on. . QED

Spot on. . QED

Terese69:
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.

Just because you're in a rush to attack-
Wot if EDD is dis year -close to d said vacation? because it says "a year later" doesn't mean its next year. Wot if visa was Got last year and d travel is dis yr?
Wot if dey're on a budget?
Wot if dey simply changed their mind and decided to travel as a family - and combine it with childbirth.
Let's be considerate of other pipo's situations. Goodnite y'all.

TWoods:
Why don't you go for a vacation now and go give birth next year?

It's possible. Thats what I did.

Shadolla:
Please house i need ur candid advice,If someone is not pregnant b4 given b1b2 family visa and later after a year can someone to use it for the family vacation and as well to give birth,that's going together with your family for vacation and stay behind to give birth. Is it possible?

Well,its upto CBPO to count backwards & determine if dey carry belle before interview. My own letter carry my LMP sef.
And if dey count back times 2 sef, I could not have been pregnant at d time of application (dropbox).
Summary- make dem write d letter. Its upto CBP to grant entry or not.

justwise:
This case is not the same as somebody who lied during visa interview then send letter of intent as a short cut.

Som pipo are trouble manufacturers sha!

TripleKMama:
A million likes biko!!
Imagine!

Me sef follow write. And I didn't meet any issue afterwards cos I got my visa long before preggers.
I also wrote dem before my sis came and it was all smooth sailing.
If need be,make we write d letter o! Leave it to d VOs and CBP officers to use or not. EOD

A million likes biko!!
Imagine!

Me sef follow write. And I didn't meet any issue afterwards cos I got my visa long before preggers.
I also wrote dem before my sis came and it was all smooth sailing.
If need be,make we write d letter o! Leave it to d VOs and CBP officers to use or not. EOD

FrontPageLawyer:
@Twoods.

Please stop misleading people. I just came back from the US leaving my wife behind to have our baby.

My firsthand expereince;

Before the trip, I sent a letter of intent to the US Consulate and got the usual response.

At JFK POE; once the CBP officer took my wife's finger print. He told my wife that it was a good thing she already sent a letter of intent to the US consulate notifying them about her intention to give birth in the US. He was very pleased and stamped us in without further questions.

We were both surprised the information was actually recorded in the system.

We are all adults. Please leave people alone to do what suits them and what they can defend. You live in the US and don't know what travellers encounter just to cross the US border.

Do you really have problem with people coming to the US?

Life happens. Even in naija
I've attended to many pxts first time ever during labor and u never see dem again! Just classify all of dem as High Risk.
Mnwile FYI, all of us from naija are termed High Risk no matter d volume and weight of d lab tests u brot!
Edited- dats why I started by asking if her preg has been smooth so far. And d previous one.
Abi no be d same person?

Vlesparza:
It is amazing that a doctor would accept responsibility for your health with no additional prenatal care. Should any doctor take you as a patient when you are in labor, the price will be much higher since you have not agreed nor paid for any obstetric care. Please update on the final cost of your delivery since I presume this cannot end well, sorry.

@Kamee
1. Dis ur pay as u Go carry K-leg o!
2. You should have asked earlier dan dis. Unless u didn't know abt nairaland.
3. It may still work out 4u if u call d people dat sent d bills and explain dat u're self pay. Dey often give discounts Even tho d initial quote may state differently.
4. Demand to know wot tests dey quoted and insist u pay for only d ones u were informed of (d initial $142+$150+$190)
5. If ur pregnancy has been stress-less, and same wit ur first, u may bone dem till delivery and show up at onset of labor or at most,near due date.

Seen.
[quote author=Joyeka post=57071169][/quote]

PM me. I'll link u up with a Chicago momma.

Fiwajoluwa:
Can anyone who is familiar with this thread, kindly point me in the right pages to read. Need a good hospital and Dr in Houston. I do not mind Chiacago and Maryland too sha. Recent total prices to compare. If its Houston i need accomodation too. Hello good mums and kind hearted people. Biko dont tell me to read up o cos i dont know where to start reading. Na beg o. Or can anyone refer me to profiles that have completed their missions recently in these place. Thank you all o.

Easier said than done. Esp if na FTM or traveling solo.
Whatever works for one. Esp for Comfort & less stress. Money for Taxi. Accommodation etc.
I got free accommodation so airbnb means extra cost. No thanks.

firsttymum:
Wetin happen to airbnb?
Me I used airbnb... If my return was supposed to b 16th.. It means I go enter new York 13 or 14th..
Book airbnb same accommodation money... Cos if u were to stay till 16th u go still pay accommodation.
Plus u can pay for a shared flat if u want.

Luggage upandan?
As if u go carry am upandan...
U put am for taxi... Take am to ur apartment.
Relax of if u have energy like me... Shower and get ready for naija embassy.... Get d passport... Get back home relax... Tour new York d next day

Interesting. Never knew.

modath:
It was 325 till april, 200$ limit stopped mid january.


https://www.nairaland.com/3822890/brand-new-box-samsung-galaxy

Wen I was in US (Oct 2016-Jan 2017), Access Bank limit was $200 per month @N375 or so.

Marylandmama:
Access bank is 100$ @ 375 to a dollar, Gtbank also has a monthly limit of 100$ @ 380 to 400 naira to a dollar. Gtbank rate fluctuates so you can't really predict.
It's better to buy black market than use ur gtb card atimes.

I've replied ur PM. Thanks.

chigrad:
Good day. Pls is she going to use San Francisco General hospital?? I intend using there but do not have an idea of the cost. Can we communicate via email? I would really appreciate your kind response. God bless

Asking for a friend
Pls any LA mom traveling 2nd week of July to return 2nd week of Sept & willing to share accommodation or stay as neighbors? My friend needs companion to run tinz with
Using St F Hosp; Dr M.
Tankios!

Body dey.
To be a woman is not a day's job oh.

Fyorgyn:
TK Mama... how body na...

Darist her oh.
TKM Jnr turned 6mo yday so I came to check dollar rate. #OkBye

desoul:
TKM.............is that you?

Ayotundesh:
Hello House!

I've read much older post...what a long and helpful thread.
Thank you for all the credible information.

Please can anyone recommend a hospital or doctor for me in Atlanta where I can birth my LO... I would be due in the 1st week of December.
But I would like to leave in September or October.

Just want to who know a recommended doctor
Where in Atlanta?
How much? Or a price range.

Thank you.

On d stamped Documentation
Abeg make una freshen up ur sense of humor. Free me joor

anonymousmum:
Triple K mama..congratulations again.

You will run into issues when getting the Nigerian passport for TKM junior because the naija passport agency will ask you 'on what documentation did he entered the country'.

Pls go back and do the needful ooo.

Make una no misunderstand me here. Its obvious people here hav different levels of understanding. Simply put,plls try use ur naija card always. Instead of ur hard dollars. Per adventure u wanna return sometin, request for cash. Odawise,it will be returned to ur payment card. Sikena
AbeG make person no PM on top dis matter. Dis NL thing don dey tire person. To talk True now Na punishment again

debby516:
If i may add, items purchased dat i needed to return were purchased either with cash or i used my American bank card nd refunds on d card takes 3 to 5days.

For uber, i added my American bank card because it didnt accept my already registered gtb naira mastercard dat i had been using on uber while in lagos. Nd Houston is nt one of those u can pay cash for uber.

Person no dey play wit una again?
E never happened

desoul:
pls kindly go back to the airport and do the needful at the bolded.thank you.

TKM Snr & Jnr Update: End of Missionary journey.

Hi everyone. I've looked forward to writing Dis for long but time wont just let me. Truly, everything changes when baby shows. I arrived Nigeria few days ago to the glory of God. I salute baba God for victory. Nobody else to take this glory! He deserves my praise o!
In this journey, I was duped of N2m on my birthday in december and also had a near-fatal car crash (car is a write off!) but TKM snr & Jnr are all alive and well. No scratch!
I'll share my trip summary, delivery story and tips for anyone to learn cos I learnt a lot! I'll attend to PMs directly for details if necessary.
DELIVERY
I initially planned using st peters NJ but on arrival, I discovered more hidden fees at st peters so I started considering my plan B seriously. Apart from Vag delivery of $8000 and CSS $12,000, oda Fees included extra day for mum $1800 and extra day for baby $1300. I couldn't do dat so I decided to opt out. Eventually did St Mary's (thanks to Funtolash for all d tips & details). Vag delivery $4000 and CS $5000.
My delivery breakdown.
Dr Fares $2000
Pediatrician (Dr Zamani) thru Dr Fares office $750 inclusive of all baby's hosp assessment.
Hosp fee for CS $5000 inclusive of hosp tests.
Anesthesia $1000 (sent to u by post after discharge)
SSN applied for at d hosp along wit Birth Cert.
Birth Cert ready & collected at town hall 4 days after discharge (I applied monday & collected Friday). $10 per copy.
SSN arrived 3wks after birth. In between, I commenced applyin for USA passport by post. Paid $160 for expedited (came in post after 9days). Was told expedited was 2-3wks but regular application 6weeks. Since it will enter Xmas period, I did expedited. Adding USPS speed post, passport photo fee of $15, everything came up to around $220. It was well worth it cos it took d stress of carrying baby to NY off me. Not too mention logistics.
Infant ticket with BA $267. They insisted baby's ticket was 1 way saying that's the remaining part of the trip as baby must be attached to an adult. I paid at the airport on departure.
On board bassinet was provided, air hostesses were nice and helpful.

Talking about excess luggage, I was fortunate to meet considerate staff at the airport. I inevitably checked in 9 items. Plus stroller,car seat and base.
General Tips.
1. Pls don't Go alone if possible. It always helps. If u can afford it. I enjoyed d help I Got from my sister even tho because baby came 4wks early,it meant my sis eventually came "late" but still very helpful.
2. U need post delivery care especially after CS.
3. Open many new accounts and travel wit ATM cards. Walmart,Kmart, Burlington and many other small stores (Burger King etc) accept naija Viisa or mastercard at N325 per dollar.
4. Access Bank Atm is d best -until proven otherwise. Access bank monthly limit for POS & online transactions is $200.
5. Uber and Lyft are your best friends. Requires a USA registered Payment card.
6. Amazon baby registry is the best!
7. Use Nigeria visa cards to buy stuffs so that if you happen to return any, you stand the chance of receiving cash instead. That way, you get dollars at Good rate in exchange for your naira.
8. Ask for help anytime.
9. Pray. Pray. Pray. Have faith wen u pray!
10. Be confident you will succeed.

Snow wan Kii person for NJ
TKM Jnr snoring & dozing away!

Arrival time JFK?
Pls if u've flown via JFK to Naija, wen did u arrive airport? How many hrs before Departure should I arrive?
Missionary journey winding up sofri sofri. So surreal. Adonbilivit

It's VISA card
No need for 2 cards. Dey amount to d same monthly limit of $200. But u can open 2 different accounts.

warrenweste:
Which of their cards?

Visa or MasterCard and can one get the 2cards to get a higher limit

Access bank cards are really cool. Apart from $200 monthly limit, u can use dem in Kmart, Walmart, Burlington.
U can also do cash back.
In fact, u could buy sometin work $190 u don't need. Walk bak to customer service to return it & request cash if d card is VISA. If mastercard, dey will pay back to d card so pls be sure U know everythin before u waste ur monthly limit.
Dis worked for me yday at rate of N325. Kmart, Walmart & Burlington exchange rate is N325.

chloe7:
Credit card? Call your bank
Not all naija cards are working abroad now, only gtbank, access, Fcmb and UBA are the ones i've heard that can be used online abroad but there's a limit of $100/ month for GTB and $200 for access, so I think it's the limit that's the issue here but regardless still call our bank they'll definitely have a better answer