Hello my people,

I am safely back in Naija oh. Operation birth is complete for me, thank God it ended in praise.

Just 3 important tips for first time mums coming back with their infants:

1) Thou should not buy thy infant ticket with American office of thy airline, or thou shall pay $400+ for a one way ticket. Buy thy infant ticket from the naija branch and get someone to pay them in naira for u.

2) Purchase an Infantino baby carrier coz thou shall need it @ the airport, for thy stroller and car seat shall be taken from thee and checked in all the way to naija. So if u don't wanna carry ur baby for hand thru layovers and security, buy one! Or thy hand shall break from carrying baby.

3) Thou should arrive at ur departure airport 3 hours ahead of time to make sure thou gets preference for bassinet. Very important. Also that thous shall not be running to thy gate with yelling baby in thy arms. For thou shall apear like a mad person.

That's it folks! Till next pikin is conceived, thanks for everyone's contribution and for the laugh thru my final weeks of pregnancy oh. Love all of una.

depending on the grade of placenta previa,vaginal delivery is very possible.

""3) Thou should arrive at ur departure airport 3 hours ahead of time to make sure thou gets preference for bassinet. Very important. Also that thous shall not be running to thy gate with yelling baby in thy arms. For thou shall apear like a mad person. ++

Haha ..lol @running to thy gat with yelling baby in thy arms, funniest post I've read all day! Congrats on your LO!

Shawbabe:
Hello my people,

I am safely back in Naija oh. Operation birth is complete for me, thank God it ended in praise.

Just 3 important tips for first time mums coming back with their infants:

1) Thou should not buy thy infant ticket with American office of thy airline, or thou shall pay $400+ for a one way ticket. Buy thy infant ticket from the naija branch and get someone to pay them in naira for u.

2) Purchase an Infantino baby carrier coz thou shall need it @ the airport, for thy stroller and car seat shall be taken from thee and checked in all the way to naija. So if u don't wanna carry ur baby for hand thru layovers and security, buy one! Or thy hand shall break from carrying baby.

3) Thou should arrive at ur departure airport 3 hours ahead of time to make sure thou gets preference for bassinet. Very important. Also that thous shall not be running to thy gate with yelling baby in thy arms. For thou shall apear like a mad person.

That's it folks! Till next pikin is conceived, thanks for everyone's contribution and for the laugh thru my final weeks of pregnancy oh. Love all of una.

bachangel:
Thank you all so much for your responses to the concerns I raised about having a baby in the US.

I am really more convinced than I initially was, although getting to 100% will naturyare ake a bit more thinking, planning etc.

What this has taught me is that as different people with different backgrounds, we have different priorities. Fact is having a baby in the US is more important to some of us than others. Again necessitated by the experiences we have.

For instance, I have a very Green Nigerian passport, but I dont think I Ive ever been denied any opportunity. Did a BSc in Nigeria. Went to a top 3 UK university for MSc and got the dream International job that allowed me work in exciting places for a couple of years. I dont feel I lost out on anything. So in my mind, If I could achieve this with a Nigerian passport, why cant my child? Yes its annoying applying for visas but getting one has never been an issue, Ive travelled from Indonesia to the Bahamas and several places inbetween.So based on my experiences, i havent lost out on much.

Im also slightly wary of a 16 year old going of to Uni for BSc in the US or UK where the moral boundaries are hardly there..By MSc, there a bit more mature so thats more reasonable for me. And thats also because I was raised on this philosophy.

But anyway, with a US passport, the final point is that I will give my child the OPTIONS, and that is what is key l. I may change my mind about BSc outside the country and so many other things etc. I guess if I do find the US passport really that useless in the future I can burn it (lol, joking) but atleast the OPTION is there in case Nigeria really goes from bad to worse (i hope not) and that's what is important.

Thanks to everyone once again. Please lets come back in 20 years to review our decisions on this.

Really? After all that have been said? Are you trying to show off or are you naturally like this

Thank you @Popri. I mentioned in my initial post that the American passport and access to better Healthcare are the two main advantages of having a baby in the US, so I do agree with you. I'lld definitely feel more comfortable if something went wrong in the hands of the US medical care team in than one in Nigeria.

Popri:
@bachangel, I am a qualified Medical Doctor here in Nigeria, I didn't train here though but have worked here, and I will clearly tell you that you cannot compare our healthcare in Nigeria to the US..
I am very concerned about my health especially when I have an alternative option..
If you are privileged to have all the info you have, then you should thank God. So many people have money, billions but are not so informed or exposed enough to know, so let your knowledge be to give you the best.

Giving birth is a major event that seeking the best healthcare possible is something of upmost priority to me, even when the outcome is very successful and it turns out 'easy' so to speak...You must have visited an NHS hospital in the UK during your MSC and I'm sure you wouldn't want to compare it to our services here.

Litigation rate is very high for ob/gyn Doctors in the U.S. so even for that reason alone, you get the very best there, amongst other reasons; emergency response time is shorter than ours, abeg I cant even shout..patient-doctor ratio is not to be compared to us so the Doctors will always give their best, plus mode of training is incomparable!

This is the little I can add to the wealth of knowledge above...
This thread is so informative and i sincerely appreciate everyone here for the concern for each other.

May God make all our dreams come true..
Y'al should stay blessed!

coefoe:
Really? After all that have been said? Are you trying to show off or are you naturally like this

'Sigh'* And Its posts like this I don't get, What exactly am I showing off,

Do you know my real name, did I post a picture of my myself? I am a faceless stranger behind my computer as you are to me. If I was saying this to you in person and you said I was showing off, as shallow as that is, I would understand even that!

How do you showoff when you are invisible in the first place? don't I need to "show" before I "show off"??

9jabiggurl:
@bachangel, to add to what @mabel said.....the ends justifies the means...truth be told in the long run you save up a lot on visa acquisition for your kids every 2 years for the countries you want to visit...with that blue pali trust me you cant go wrong..its one of the best decision you would make and give your children ....please go for it.
few years down the lane you don't want to regret this decision like my dad did....gave birth to 1st two in uk and came to nigeria under 'the economy is good i dont want to be a slave in another man's country" (a typical Ijesha thinking) and gave birth to the remaining four here unfortunately i fall in the remaining four category and till today he bites his fingers for taking that decision 40 years ago....
Please go for it if you can afford it.....

@9jabiggurl Thank you for your contribution....I'm hoping I won't, my child will thank people like you.

I went to college in the US at 16 and I turned out very ok, infact those were the best years of my life! And the major reason (besides better healthcare) I'm having my kids in the US.
As a student, I know what my parents went through to pay school fees (this was during the Abacha era, so things were VERY tough for them) and I also know that if I was a citizen I would've had access to financial aid and more scholarships to help ease the burden.
Even after graduation, I know I missed out on a few jobs because the companies were not interested in doing a work permit for me. Fortunately, I eventually got a job, but it definitely wasn't my dream job and I ended up earning much less than I should have cos the company felt they were doing me a favor by getting the work permit for me. I eventually moved back home after 10yrs of living in the US and even though I don't see myself living in the US again, I'm determined to have my kids there. Let them decide to live there or not when the time comes.

You seem to already know what you want to do, so I won't bother trying to convince you. For anyone else reading this, when your kids eventually go to college, please make sure they take financial aid if they qualify, not student loans o! I have friends who are still paying student loans 15yrs after graduation (that's the only good thing about not being a citizen when I went to college, cos I graduated without any debt )


[quote author=bachangel post=33410984]Thank you all so much for your responses to the concerns I raised about having a baby in the US.

I am really more convinced than I initially was, although getting to 100% will naturally take a bit more thinking, planning etc.

My pple Biko make una allow the babe ( bachangel) rest o!
We have given her more than enough info to convince her and in the end, it's up to her and hubby to make the final decision. Let's not forget that.

bachangel:



@9jabiggurl Thank you for your contribution....I'm hoping I won't, my child will thank people like you.

You are welcome @bachangel...

hmmmm @your last response...you probably left a lot of thinking people more confused....but I kinda admire your thought line....and yes your sarcasm!!

Please let us know what decision you took afterall and 20 years from now we sure will be back here to analysis this case.....God's will....

cheers

Beryl15:
My pple Biko make una allow the babe ( bachangel) rest o!
We have given her more than enough info to convince her and in the end, it's up to her and hubby to make the final decision. Let's not forget that.

Yes @Beryl15, thank you, I guess ure right. It is good to sound out others, but ultimately the decision will have to be mine and Hubbys def

Pls mums and dads, which of the extended stay hotels is closest to Del Sol Medical Centre?

shelly23:
I went to college in the US at 16 and I turned out very ok, infact those were the best years of my life! And the major reason (besides better healthcare) I'm having my kids in the US.
As a student, I know what my parents went through to pay school fees (this was during the Abacha era, so things were VERY tough for them) and I also know that if I was a citizen I would've had access to financial aid and more scholarships to help ease the burden.
Even after graduation, I know I missed out on a few jobs because the companies were not interested in doing a work permit for me. Fortunately, I eventually got a job, but it definitely wasn't my dream job and I ended up earning much less than I should have cos the company felt they were doing me a favor by getting the work permit for me. I eventually moved back home after 10yrs of living in the US and even though I don't see myself living in the US again, I'm determined to have my kids there. Let them decide to live there or not when the time comes.

You seem to already know what you want to do, so I won't bother trying to convince you. For anyone else reading this, when your kids eventually go to college, please make sure they take financial aid if they qualify, not student loans o! I have friends who are still paying student loans 15yrs after graduation (that's the only good thing about not being a citizen when I went to college, cos I graduated without any debt )

@shelly23 I agree with you and I know there are thousands of people who went to Uni outside the country at 16 and turned out perfect. Im just saying that its an idea I am wary of esp because of the way I was raised and the my parents ideals. They insisted for the first 2 of us and then got lax with our last born and let him leave for the UK (and that didnt turn out too well) Again my thoughts on this are based on my personal experience. Doesnt mean I wont change my mind in the future.

As for already knowing what to do, honestly I dont..even though everyone has kindly contributed their views Im sure you understand that it would be unreasonable for me to suddenly jump on the US band wagon just because everyone has raised very valid points. I would need to discuss in detail with Hubby, pray, review finances and finally decide.This can only come from within.

Thank you for your encouragement tho

Gracydee:
Hi good people,

And so I had my baby at Parker Adventist Hospital in colorado two weeks ago. Baby and mother doing fine. The hospital was okay in terms of service but not very straight forward in terms of bill. Thanks to senior mamas in the house for equipping me with enough info and this forum for teaching one to ask questions until you are sure. I have been on their neck for letter of zero balance since I was discharged but they keep saying they are balancing their books although I have my receipts. It takes time to get your bills here. I have been on the neck of all of those people for bills stating categorically that am returning to my country to no avail. Anyway, am still here hoping to get all resolved. My doctor is very nice (God bless his soul for me). He is the only one with straight forward bills.

Even processing of baby's paper sef na wa. The expedited be like normal day process. Gosh!!!!! This people just take their time

In all, am happy I have my little boy. All others na secondary. God go help us.

Once again, thanks to everyone for the info shared on this forum...... Phema and boldbabe, thanks for the experience shared. I appreciate everyone.

Congrats on the birth of your price charming. Please can I have details of the hospital bill and location. I'm an August Colorado mummy.......

Welcome back and congrats again.

But in your last post you said you'll be back with the concluding part i.e.documentation and passport.

Please some of us have been patiently waiting. Thanks

[quote author=Shawbabe post=33413545]Hello my people,

I am safely back in Naija oh. Operation birth is complete for me, thank God it ended in praise.

Just 3 important tips for first time mums coming back with their infants:

Welcome back and congrats again.

But in your last post you said you'll be back with the concluding part i.e.documentation and passport.

Please some of us have been patiently waiting. Thanks

Shawbabe:
Hello my people,

I am safely back in Naija oh. Operation birth is complete for me, thank God it ended in praise.

Just 3 important tips for first time mums coming back with their infants:

1) Thou should not buy thy infant ticket with American office of thy airline, or thou shall pay $400+ for a one way ticket. Buy thy infant ticket from the naija branch and get someone to pay them in naira for u.

2) Purchase an Infantino baby carrier coz thou shall need it @ the airport, for thy stroller and car seat shall be taken from thee and checked in all the way to naija. So if u don't wanna carry ur baby for hand thru layovers and security, buy one! Or thy hand shall break from carrying baby.

3) Thou should arrive at ur departure airport 3 hours ahead of time to make sure thou gets preference for bassinet. Very important. Also that thous shall not be running to thy gate with yelling baby in thy arms. For thou shall apear like a mad person.

That's it folks! Till next pikin is conceived, thanks for everyone's contribution and for the laugh thru my final weeks of pregnancy oh. Love all of una.

Hawttattoo:


If you are sitting on any of this seat. 17A,17B,17F and 17G. But all this seat are located in the premium Economy section.which yo can upgrade with extra $120.

Thank you.

wayinoma:
I would advice you to have your baby in tthe us.i had my first 5years ago and it has taken 5yrs to correct the mistakes the doctors made plus am extremely lucky n blessed to be alive.


author=chidaroy post=33395590]Ok so I know lots of the people here are used to the different turn my response usually takes
I like to look at things from different sides but today I will just answer your question by telling you my story.

My husband and I had our wedding at the end of February this year (note... I am married on an ijebu man. Their party no be here). We were the major sponsors of the event and I was already six months gone then. In march(few days after we returned from our honeymoon), our house was involved in a fire accident that engulfed 90% of the property in one side of the house +wedding gifts. (newly weds who have just come out from a major expense, we had to renovate the house and replace all the properties). Then I came to the US in April (notice the closeness) to have our baby.

Now that I have given you that summary, it will help you relate with my story. When I found out I was pregnant, I had no concrete intention of having the baby in the US but somehow I jokingly mentioned it to my husband and he bought into it. When I got a visa in January, I still wasn't sure that I wanted to have the baby abroad but as days past, I kept going deeper and deeper into research and findings. The more events unfold, the more reasons we had to give up on the idea and just like you, if I had my baby in Nigeria, I will pay zero.

One day, I sat down and did the maths,.... If it cost 4 million to have a baby in the US today, when he grows up and decides to school in the US or Canada, the average school fee per session for international students will be more than 4 million more than what a citizen should pay per session. (considering that exchange rate might ever go down). So I would have spent 4 million today to save say 20 million or more tomorrow. That was my math.

I decided to stick to it even when my husband and I almost couldn't afford it. Somehow we agreed to each contribute 50% each of the total cost(it's easier when you have a supportive spouse). I didn't know there was something more God had planned.

On arriving here, I had my first doctors appointment. After the doctor looked at my report and all, he immediately recommended that I go for a scan urgently but because I was too in a hurry to go home that day, I decided to have the scan the next day. On getting home, I noticed that I started bleeding (it's my first baby, I have zero experience and the first thought that came to my head was miscarriage). Still amidst the panic, I ran back to the hospital only to be subjected to a comprehensive scan.

After all the equipments were deployed, I heard for the first time that I had a case of Placenta Previa(Google it). Note: I was 36 weeks gone at this time and it was the first time ever I was hearing that. I was made to believe by my doctor in Nigeria that I was going to have a normal delivery till I got here. A patient with placenta previa cannot have a normal vd except the case corrects. Hence, attempting to have a normal delivery in Nigeria would cost the mother or child or both lives.

So to answer your question, if I finally decided to have my baby in Nigeria and experienced that bleeding, the doctor would have thought I was going into labour. He would have induced me and that might have been it for my child and (or) me. So are you still asking someone like me what the benefit of having my baby here is?

Even if I have to slave all my life, I have made a solemn decision not to have any other child in Nigeria (so help me God). If the only thing God helped me achieve through this trip was to get medical care(lots of people under look the importance of that),then I wouldn't mind if the next one costs 20 million naira.

Still in doubt? I don't expect you to be. It's not just what you achieve for your child but what you achieve for yourself.

Thank you wayinoma, Im giving this a lot of thought. I had a preconception that people who had their babies in the US had tons of cash to spare. I.e cost of having a baby = 5% of their savings. And thats why I am a bit worried...For us, it is about 30%, which seems like a lot..hence my uncertainty.

pls o was anyone able to watch telemundo while in d us? dont want to miss out o. lol

Congrats ma.iS ur baby a gal or boy?wanna no bout circumcision or ear piercing at prince George

shirley013:



I had my baby March 14th. Paid my bills April 7th. So this is so recent. Still in Maryland awaiting my departure date.

shrekandfiona:

Hi Phema, sent you a pm with no message. Don't know how pms work but need urgent info from you based on your experience

Replied.

Hi All,

I know this is coming late but I would really like to if anyone used Dr Dama Z and soul care concierge.

Also what ur experiences with them was like, cos I need to narrow down my search on drs and care givers.

Thanks for a prompt response.

bachangel:


'Sigh'* And Its posts like this I don't get, What exactly am I showing off,

Do you know my real name, did I post a picture of my myself? I am a faceless stranger behind my computer as you are to me. If I was saying this to you in person and you said I was showing off, as shallow as that is, I would understand even that!

How do you showoff when you are invisible in the first place? don't I need to "show" before I "show off"??

Let the tournament begin. ...
Round 1.... lol

olokings:


Let the tournament begin. ...
Round 1.... lol

Agbalagba la peyin. E ye se langba langba

Intown suites is the closest I think. But in reality, in town and ramada are not so far from each other - about 10mins walk.
Moreso, you will end up visiting the doctor's office more than del sol itself, so in the end, the distance won't matter.

You can always book intown or studio 6 since they don't require any deposit. When you get there you can then choose which is most suitable for you.

Nogen:
Pls mums and dads, which of the extended stay hotels is closest to Del Sol Medical Centre?

Just putting it out there. ...
You don't go into a biker bar to ask if/not you should get a custom bike n join d gang and if you do what re the benefits n not expect them to outrightly say "get that bike n rode with us"...

So far I've seen, d NL family on this thread are like sailors whom have made up their minds to go on an expedition and all that is being dished out here are boat specs, best routes, navigation etc. ..

I ll categorically say that this is not the thread/forum to get an unbiased, non-sentimental logically qed avocet l advice on the topic of discussion. ..cos u deliberating with made up minds settling d best possible routes to achieving their objectives ...

@bachangel et Al, as previously mentioned d decision u seek to take is solely dependent on u n ur spouse (as perceived u seem well exposed based on d info available to us) so with very little personal research I think your questions can be answered by you.

When you need inputs on navigating the waters then experienced NLers here can be of help buh otherwise, I think it's not d case for them to affirm or negate ur decision flow chart.

Just saying anyways. ....#realist speaking out. ..
Buh still I must say a thing or two was learnt with the strings of comments generated. ..

All the best.

Hahahahaha!!! The telemundo in the US is in Spanish. The one we get in Nigeria is the international one so they have English subs.

Your best bet is to buy the DVDS in traffic or you can watch telenovelas on hulu or netflix

shimk:
pls o
was anyone able to watch telemundo while in
d us?
dont want to miss out o. lol

Shawbabe:
H

2) Purchase an Infantino baby carrier coz thou shall need it @ the airport, for thy stroller and car seat shall be taken from thee and checked in all the way to naija. So if u don't wanna carry ur baby for hand thru layovers and security, buy one! Or thy hand shall break from carrying baby.

. Also -*

I bought that hands free one that you wear with the baby in the front and checked in my stroller and baby seat. Best decision ever because I had my hands free and dint have to push the stroller.

My baby slept all through too and they are not heavy at that stage.

It's worth checking out

Ps welcome home

Yes, that's a good investment, got mine 3yrs ago for my son and brought it with me.
Also comes in handy if you're flying Delta and aren't able to get the basinet.

favoredgal:


I bought that hands free one that you wear with the baby in the front and checked in my stroller and baby seat. Best decision ever because I had my hands free and dint have to push the stroller.

My baby slept all through too and they are not heavy at that stage.

It's worth checking out

Ps welcome home

coefoe:
Agbalagba la peyin. E ye se langba langba

Dunno if i'm paranoid but I smell 'undercover'

Popri:
@bachangel, I am a qualified Medical Doctor here in Nigeria, I didn't train here though but have worked here, and I will clearly tell you that you cannot compare our healthcare in Nigeria to the US..
I am very concerned about my health especially when I have an alternative option..
If you are privileged to have all the info you have, then you should thank God. So many people have money, billions but are not so informed or exposed enough to know, so let your knowledge be to give you the best.

Giving birth is a major event that seeking the best healthcare possible is something of upmost priority to me, even when the outcome is very successful and it turns out 'easy' so to speak...You must have visited an NHS hospital in the UK during your MSC and I'm sure you wouldn't want to compare it to our services here.

Litigation rate is very high for ob/gyn Doctors in the U.S. so even for that reason alone, you get the very best there, amongst other reasons; emergency response time is shorter than ours, abeg I cant even shout..patient-doctor ratio is not to be compared to us so the Doctors will always give their best, plus mode of training is incomparable!

This is the little I can add to the wealth of knowledge above...
This thread is so informative and i sincerely appreciate everyone here for the concern for each other.

May God make all our dreams come true..
Y'al should stay blessed!

I hope and pray that one day our health care "professionals" and academicians will go on strike for the improvement of infrastructures in our institutions. Strikes should not only be about salary and allowances . If you know you are working in a horrible environment devoid of the necessary tools for the trade be vocal. America may one day Institute the same policy the United Kingdom is now known for...will the next generation move to the next "blue kpali" nation? We have seen how things are done outside our Shores let's demand for that same level of service back home. Nigerian's remain some of the best brains anywhere in the world. The only downside is that we are too patient when it comes to taking crap from the establishment. After we return we our precious babies we still have to take them to these hospitals in naija for checkups and treatments. Unless you have the money to fly to Houston for any problem that comes up afterwards. In other words -When you bring home a Ferrari make sure your local dealership is equipped to handle any eventualities.

Shawbabe:
Hello my people,

2) Purchase an Infantino baby carrier coz thou shall need it @ the airport, for thy stroller and car seat shall be taken from thee and checked in all the way to naija. So if u don't wanna carry ur baby for hand thru layovers and security, buy one! Or thy hand shall break from carrying baby.

3) Thou should arrive at ur departure airport 3 hours ahead of time to make sure thou gets preference for bassinet. Very important. Also that[b] thous shall not be running to thy gate with yelling baby in thy arms. For thou shall apear like a mad person.
[/b]

this your number 3 made me to laugh out so loud . I can imagine running to the gate with yelling baby and pple be looking at you somehow, it actually happened to me. But this your number (2), I was able to check in only my car seat but carried the stroller up till the door of d plane and wen we stopped for layover we collected the stroller and used it again till we boarded d next flight. Dunno if it differ wt airline. Welcome back.