Hi KeishSunshine,

Please can you tell us the name of the hospital you used and the doctor's contact, especially for those of us intending to have our baby in Toronto, but without any guide on the hospital and doctor to use.

Thanks.

KeishSunshine:

And malaria test too. That is VERY important to them.

Hi KeishSunshine,

Congrats and thanks for this valuable info. Please can you give us details of the hospital and doctor you used. I intend having my baby in Toronto and I'm yet to get an affordable hospital and Doctor's contact.

KeishSunshine:
Hello Everyone,

My post is loooooong overdue but i'll still post 'cos this might help someone.
I had my baby in Canada in May. Got into Canada, late April and left June 3rd when my baby was 2 weeks plus.

Here's how it worked from scratch.

I got onto this page and some others I can't recall now sometime in January and read all I could over and over again.
Noticed a lot of people were talking to someone called 'Hotstepper' so I sent her a message to ask for guidance.
She gave me more than enough information and hand held me through the entire process.
Hubby and I applied for the visa in early February ( i was already VISIBLY pregnant).
The wait to get the visa was so scary cos I was running against time. Hotstepper kept praying with me o! (and yes, it took prayers).
Anyway visa came out third week in April and i was already 37 weeks then. So it was a rat race. Hotstepper and her entire family started to look for accommodation and everything i needed for me as she was my only contact in Toronto at the time. She had also warned me that some pregnant ladies were getting turned back at the port of entry so we kept praying and she was hoping with me too.
Hubby and I got in. Hubby was asked questions and i said nothing. I don't know if the guy saw my belle or not but I know God was at work sha cos we were allowed in.

Total hospital bills came to about 6000cad, cos i took epidural, that cost 1000cad.
Stay per day in the hospital 2500cad.
Doctor's fees were 1500cad.
Baby's fees including tests and all were about 1000cad

I got all my baby's documents in a week.
Didn't need to get a Nigerian passport for the baby, just got a document to allow him travel but even this document wasn't requested at any point in time while we were travelling. Just to be safe though, have it handy.

TIPS
It's best to run as many tests as you can here in Nigeria up to the very day before you travel so you can have up to date information for the doctor. I had to run some other tests cos I didn't have them all.

Ask the doctor why you have to do whatever tests he recommends and if they are necessary at all. Sometimes, they are just nice to do for the doctor, but everything will cost you some money.

It's best to have loads of cash handy. None of our cards worked in any of the ATMs there. We were able to pay for stuff via POS but even that didn't always work. Now, you actually need a dollar master card to make your life easy so just get that.

You can't rent a vehicle without a credit card. If you want to do a lot of running around and you prefer having a vehicle you need this. Taxis can be naughty...as in every other country. The bus is a great option, but you don't want to be carrying your newborn about in a place where he can be exposed to germs and all.

In getting a guarantor for your baby's Canadian passport, make sure that they know enough about you to pass a telephone interview. They actually call the guarantor to be sure they know you well. If they aren't satisfied, they'll deny your request for a Canadian passport and ask you to re-apply.

My baby DID NOT GET A HEALTH CARD, so I had to pay for every thing that was done for him. Every single thing. Maybe that was a law that changed but just have that at the back of your mind. And plan for it. Maybe it's only applicable to Toronto but...there!

If you are a new mum, this isn't compulsory but i'll advise you to stay till you've done your 6 week check up and be sure you're fine before coming back home.

There! I'll do my best to answer all questions.

Thanks to Hotstepper and her family, 'specially her sis and mum for just being angels.
Did i say i had never met her before that trip? Bless her heart.

ujugladys:
congrats dear, I am happy for you. Please I have a quick question, the bank account statement you submitted what was the balance like? You can give us an estimate since you mentioned you were travelling to give birth, I assume your bank statement would hav been reasonable, can u tell us if u don't mind, thanks a lot

N4m plus.

@Mel01. I don't think there is a particular format you need for the letter (purpose of travel). However, your letter should be persuasive enough with valid proofs. I had a friend of mine give me a letter of invitation, she is a permanent resident in Canada, and just immigrated a few months back.
A colleague only booked a hotel without a letter of invitation and was granted the visa, though hers was just for vacation purpose.

@JESUunifemi, yes, my friend lives in Toronto. I'll read back the thread for Hostepper's recommended Doctors in Toronto. Thanks.

Well, my visa processing took 5 weeks.

@Mel01, I have a valid US visa and I didn't explain why I didn't want to give birth in US, I rather focused on the fact that I believed that Canada has a good healthcare system that I desire to use.

I provided all the supporting documents that is required on the CIC website, including other documents that I thought will support my application. E.g a simple medical report from my Nigerian Doc of my past delivery experiences, Letter from my office, that I will be on leave and I desire to go to Canada, and that I will definitely return after my leave, a photocopy of my friends PR card (a hotel reservation if you do not have a letter of invitation). Every other documents I provided was as per the CIC website.

I also indicated in my letter of my past international travels, and that my US visa is still valid. However, some pple get their visas even without a single international travel history.

Ultimately, pray!!! Getting a visa is not out of what God can do.

Wish you the best and hope to learn more from the thread.

I just got my visa today. Thanks to the advise I received from this thread. I indicated in my letter of introduction that I intend to give birth there and showed family ties back home, bank statement, air ticket (provisional), and also stated the address of the friend I intend to stay with.

I am yet to make a choice of the hospital to use, I heard Toronto is much cheaper than other cities, pls can you advise on which hospital and Gynae to contact. I need to start making arrangements as soon as possible.

Thanks for your prompt response.