oluphilip2008:



Lajoie33, it is well with your son and your entire family IJn. My prayers are with you always. I read ur case to my sister that I'm staying with, she and her husband are both doctors here in the US (with years of practice in Nigeria before they moved to the states. They advised that your doctors may also want to look out for a condition known as Burkitt Lymphoma. Common among African children.
It may take them time to diagnose it here as its not common in the US. Said its a very common condition amongst children in Nigeria and its not expensive to treat. Not terminal either if diagnosed and treated promptly.
You can read more about it on Google

Chaiii, may God protect us and out kids, Kit n Kin.

This is so scary

Varvara:
Hello, everybody !

I delivered baby 2 days ago in St. Francis Medical Center, LA. It was fast and hard we arrived in the hospital when I was 9 cm. it was second baby. They didn't have a chance to give me epidural. So they just told me . You will deliver right now !

I was surprised because I didn't feel my contractions on 9 cm..it was barely painful. Pushing was very hard for me. So dr M had to cut me and use vacuum to take out my baby girl. He explained that her head is big. Actually it's 37 cm. So dr M and pediatrician assured me that it doesn't affect her head and brain at all.

But in general I feel that I had better experience in MIHS 2 years ago then here. But it's fine , it's ok.

Besides, I have a question to LA moms. How can I get birth certificate faster ? Lady from records told me it took 1,5 months. Do you have any recommendation ? How to hurry up them?

Congrats Varvara!!! E-hugs

JustHere2Observ:
FTM here and I need help shopping for car seats, I'm torn between buying a convertible car seat or an infant car seat. I'm in Houston to have my baby but no personal ride as I rely on uber for mobility. Please I will like suggestions on what to do.

Convertible is better cos they're more cost effective as babies can use them for longer. But the downside is they're not usually carriers so moving about in Uber might be a challenge.

dere5:


I guess you meant $370.17

sorry about that,I just reconfirmed my receipt now it was $317.17 plus $60 for my baggage.

Thank you

Nnystc:
Congratulations Varvara.
1.5 months for birth certificate is not correct...

I had my baby at St Francis Hospital last week (September 2nd to be precise). The admin lady told me it takes 10 business days for birth certificate to be ready at the LA county office.

HOWEVER, i called the county yesterday 9th September, and i have confirmed that my birth certificate is ready. I will be collecting it on Monday 12th.
You should ask that she should book it as an expedited request.

Also if youre in a hurry, you should already book your passport appointment... The open dates are going far into the future...

@ far into the future

Congrats @vervara you have the luck of enjoying cheap options o. Mihs in 2014, then this . Mihs reviewed their prices before i could book my appointment with them in 2014. I hope our LA hospital would not do same o. Dollar isn't smiling, i so need this option .

Congrats to everyone with successful POE stories and to everyone who just had their babies. May the Lord bless and keep the LOs. And to us all who are still counting down, may the Lord be our strength and continue to keep us. May He make our births like that of the Hebrew woman.
To Lajoie33 and everyone else going through one thing or the other, i'll like to share the lyrics of this song that ministered to me this morning.

"Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
And the sun is rising

Every high and every low you're gonna go through
You don't have to be afraid I am with you
In the moments you're so weak you feel like stopping
Let the hope you have light the road you're walking
You're gonna make it
And the night can only last for so long"

It is well with us all.

bouqounmie:
Congrats to everyone with successful POE stories and to everyone who just had their babies. May the Lord bless and keep the LOs. And to us all who are still counting down, may the Lord be our strength and continue to keep us. May He make our births like that of the Hebrew woman.
To Lajoie33 and everyone else going through one thing or the other, i'll like to share the lyrics of this song that ministered to me this morning.

"Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
And the sun is rising

Every high and every low you're gonna go through
You don't have to be afraid I am with you
In the moments you're so weak you feel like stopping
Let the hope you have light the road you're walking
You're gonna make it
And the night can only last for so long"

It is well with us all.

Lajoie33

I know exactly how you feel, the only difference is I knew early what I was dealing with. Please first things first don't rely on Dr's info alone whatever they call it read as much as you can. It's ok you in the US there is always research. On something or the other going on. It can sound daunting don't be discouraged. My hope was that I had a big God a very big God who could do all he said he would do and do more. I rem when I had to do rectal washouts for my son, they told me daily I did it at least 3 times a day I was adamant I won't carry a dead son home I would be praying and telling the baby while doing the washouts he wld go home he wnt die in this land I used to confess positive even with tears. Every morning afternoon night call your son lay your hands on him nd confess positive no matter what they find! God will take control even if it means an operation! Surgeon Jesus would do it. I was shattered when they got a diagnosis and said my son would still do the operation I thought God didn't answer my prayers But I know now that he had to have the operation so all glory can go to him. Call the prayer lines you know in the US. Devil is a bastard and he has lost don't be despaired! I know your son is alright infact he is healed! Listen carefully to the Dr's ask all d questions you need to ask even if not necessary. His surgeons and paediatric Dr's call me over information mum I don't care I read and read so when they talking I start reeling out info like am a dr too so nobody wld tell me rubbish and say na mistake afterwards. I can't deal with that! Above all guess what God got your back! Dis thing your son has look at all d symptoms online check if there any support groups for parents were u can ask question from others and compare. Don't worry yourself God has taken control you came with one and an intending one on d way by the grace of God the almighty God who said AMEN to all our prayers you would leave with two kids. Whatever they find won't hamper your child's life infact it shall make him better. They say great kids are the ones who have this setbacks cause the devil knows he can't touch their destiny. Don't worry when he becomes the president or UN president you would remember that ordeal and do thanksgiving. You are a conqueror on christ.

Tanx lots for dis.
It's been on auto replay since yday!

Nnystc:
For Lajoie33:
Sorry i can't write much...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXZsCSjj88E

"He Never Fails"

Very well said, d devil fights a lost battle
NB. Pastor Chris & Benny Hinn will host a miracle & Healing service Oct 28 & 29. Anyone wit tough health issues can attend in Lagos or join online. Our Almighty God does d impossible. Theres nothing too hard for Him! I'm a living witness.

isaleko:



Lajoie33

Whatever they find won't hamper your child's life infact it shall make him better. They say great kids are the ones who have this setbacks cause the devil knows he can't touch their destiny. Don't worry when he becomes the president or UN president you would remember that ordeal and do thanksgiving. You are a conqueror on christ.

[quote author=mumzt post=48836433]

10kg I think is for shorter routes like uk. From d US it's 23kg. But u can reconfirm wen u call to add baby ticket. But I had 23kg for my baby[/quote

Thanks again jossy&Mumzt. Paid 78.40 eventually and like you said, it was really easy.

To God be the glory....my 2nd trip for birthing is now at the final stage.

To everyone going through one challenge or the other.... My prayers are with you all. Never forget that "the blessings of God maketh rich and added no sorrow....no matter what"

ladyAy:
Carry your cash oh!!! quote author=Niksie post=49243239] Thanks LadyAy, you were able to use POS at Travelex right?

Cash!!! ok thanks for the info.

Happy Sunday to everyone …………. Many thanks to everyone who has taken time to share their experience(s) with others……. The likes of me are greatly indebted

My family (DH, DW and Little Daughter) went for our interview 2 Fridays ago. God was evidently at work and the interview couldn’t have been better….. here is the transcript

DH: Good morning (lifts up and put daughter on the counter).
VO: Good morning, your passport please,
DH: Gave him 3 passports
VO: Why are you going to the US?
DH: To have our baby
VO: Where?
DH: Houston
VO: Can you describe what you do
DH: I currently work as …………….. with …………………….. Limited and my responsibilities include………………. ( Work s with an FMCG in a middle management role)
VO: What kind of machines do you use for manufacturing ………………….. ? (mentions product made where DH told him he works)
DH: Mentions 4 different kinds of machine
VO: and what do you do (directs question to DW)
DW: I work as ……………………………………………. (Self-employed)
VO: Which countries have you visited in the past
DH: Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. On official assignments to Kenya and Uganda and on holiday with friends to Ghana
DW: Ghana, to attend an event
VO: What would this trip cost you?
DH: Between 11-12k excluding accommodation as we will be staying with a family friend. We have contacted a doctor and have gotten an estimate of the cost of her services and also have an estimate of the hospital and Paediatrics fees.
VO: Can you give me a breakdown
(DH tries handing over the budget sheet and VO says…. Just read it to me)
DH: Just mentioned the name of all expense items we had on the budget sheet without mentioning their respective cost (Obstetrician , hospital fee, paediatrician, laboratory and pathology, flights, circumcision, baby’s documentation, living expenses)
Remembered @Phema and said a prayer for her inside of me…. God will continue to Bless You
VO: How long will you be staying?
DH: My wife will be staying for 3 to 4 months while I will be staying for just 3 weeks to be present during delivery
VO continues to type…………. Daughter was stretching to touch the light bulb and DH continuously tried to restrain her… and DH said you can’t touch the light and said you can ask him (VO) for permission to touch it ….. VO said with laughter it will only burn you if you do
VO: How will you be getting the dollars you need?
DH: We will be getting $8,000 through PTA from the bank as we are eligible for just $8,000 and we will be sourcing the rest from Bureau D’ Change
VO: That is the best answer I have heard on how they intend to get FOREX
VO continues to type and then hands over the white paper and says you can pick up your passports …………………. Didn’t hear the rest of what he said

Even though we diligently followed Phema’s list of Burden of Proof…………….No document was requested for, not to talk of checking them…….. We can only say thank you to God and to every one of you.

Next na POE for Houston and we know Baba God still dey gidigba for His throne and is still at work….. Will be sharing the success story.
Wishing all everyone success all the way

Please where is travelex located at abuja airport?

ladyAy:
Carry your cash oh!!! The way it works is that after they go through your documents and aoprove, the write the equivalent in Naira of the amount they are selling to you on the first bank teller. Then you go downstairs to first bank, pay your cash and return to them with the teller, then you get your dollars. Getting a teller filled in the first place is the real hustle. After that it's guaranteed they will sell to you. All the best !!!
quote author=Niksie post=49243239]
Thanks LadyAy, you were able to use POS at Travelex right?

Congrats oye84! More testimonies coming your way

oye84:
Happy Sunday to everyone …………. Many thanks to

VO: What would this trip cost you?
DH: Between 11-12k excluding accommodation as we will be staying with a family friend. We have contacted a doctor and have gotten an estimate of the cost of her services and also have an estimate of the hospital and Paediatrics fees.
VO: Can you give me a breakdown
(DH tries handing over the budget sheet and VO says…. Just read it to me)
DH: Just mentioned the name of all expense items we had on the budget sheet without mentioning their respective cost (Obstetrician , hospital fee, paediatrician, laboratory and pathology, flights, circumcision, baby’s documentation, living expenses)

Congrats Sir. I appreciate your transcript.
Great learning point.
You could have given a one line answer to the question above but you led the interview to your place of strenght. Your preparedness made the vo not even bother with the papers.
Cc: future applicants

Please how far with that mommy that was denied and got a september date. Sept 9th I believe? I can't remember her moniker

Also From experience, if you have history of having big babies, even your naija doctor will demand for an OGTT. My first child was 4.2kg so during this second one before I left nigeria, my naija doctor had me do ogtt at 16wks and 28wks just to explain the reason for the weight of my first baby and rule out gestational diabete.

TripleKMama:
Same here. In fact, as soon as I requested for OGTT, my Dr asked if I dey deliver for USA then I said yes. because everything medical is free for me via my office insurance, I request every and any test...don't judge me
Additionally, if you have a strong family history of Diabetes, OGTT is in place for them to watch out for early signs.

Finally, someone already mentioned that these tests are only relevant as per certain GA. If you arrive US at 30wks+, they wont ask for OGTT except they accept the one you did in naija. Summary: that list someone shared is just a guide. Doesn't meant one single patient will do all of them.

Eeyah. All my own test from naija was accepted o. They even told me that it was a smart thing I came with my results cos test here are expensive. I guess some of these things varies with each doctor.

feddy27:


Not correct. For my 2 children, I arrived US at 34 weeks and OGTT was done, used different hospitals as well. I don't even bother with all these lab tests from naija.

So sorry am just responding. St. Mary's didn't give me anything o. It's the doctor's office that gave me all the correspondence. Infact when I called St. Mary's, they asked me to contact a doctor.

Tyrah1:
@funtolash please did start mary hospital gave u any correspondence cos they told me they don't give

Don't know if this my response will still be relevant but let me share my opinion just in case it's helpful for someone. I was faced with the same situation just before I travelled. So what I did was that I did part liquidation of the fixed deposit, at least something to pump my account up significantly. Also I had all the investment letters arranged together (about 1 yr records) to show as evidence of the FD (I was doing a 30days rollover) up until the part liquidation and also the balance fixed after the part liquidation. Although none of these was asked but that was my way of showing I cld pay for my bills and burden of proof that the sudden inflow in my account wasn't borrowed. Na my own approach be that it is by no means a standard so make u na no nail me for give advice.

LadyGuinivere:

Remember what I gave you was my opnion and not based on any particular experience.
When in doubt, please err on the side of caution. If somebody has had a personal experience that wasn't favourable then that means you shouldn't bank much on my opinion.

phummy1821:
I intend using University of Maryland St Joseph Medical Center, the cost is on their website. The Dr name is Dr Tolani you can also get her address there, but the thing is both the hospital and the doctor's office won't give you any correspondence on phone or thru email. I was there in March so I registered with them and got my appointment card too. That Dr doesn't take much patients and she gets filled up quickly also she won't take you if you are already 33 weeks.

Thanks a lot, Phummy, were you able to confirm the costs during your visit?

funtolash:
Eeyah. All my own test from naija was accepted o. They even told me that it was a smart thing I came with my results cos test here are expensive. I guess some of these things varies with each doctor.

I did for my son's but this time around, I personally didn't cos it's part of my package. So I didn't see the need and allowed them run everytin again at no additional cost

Hi all,pls I need help oh,curses would be welcomed,I am 23weeks pregnant(would be due in december)and was abused by my husband,I bought a 3 weeks ticket for vavation,but now I am contemplating staying here in the us till I birth my baby,because I don't want to go back to hubby,I was stamped in till march,pls fellow experienced mama is dis right??or what do I need to do??

Very useful even tho I didn't ask!
Dats my issue now. So difficult to reach d main Hospital which is like calling from my village to inquire sometin @ UCH
I'll just use d quotes and budget sheets I got from d Dr's office.

funtolash:
So sorry am just responding. St. Mary's didn't give me anything o. It's the doctor's office that gave me all the correspondence. Infact when I called St. Mary's, they asked me to contact a doctor.

Sorry abt what u're going tru. However I feel uncomfortable by u calling for curses at dis delicate circumstance of urs. U ought to seek empathy and consideration. Pls it's important u stay positive so u give ur baby a chance at living a healthy & purposeful life.
Secondly, if u're 23wks, ur EDD is next year. Second week actually. So pls ensure u confirm ur dates to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Now to d main dish, Hard as it may sound, u need to use d visa for its intended purpose. But U obviously can't do d vacation now so just ensure u have everything planned as per ur own Dr, pediatric care,funds for bills, accommodation etc. If dey ask,be ready to convince dem. And pls pay all ur bills and com bak. Stamping u till march gives u ample time to sort out where u'll stay on return to naija but pls by all means,do come bak! Oyibo no dey like twists and turns. Find a close relation to stay wit who understands ur ordeal while u make room for reconciliation wit hubby. Na for better or it are worse (according to zebrudaya)
All d best dear & rmbr to talk to God abt dis if u havent been doing so lately.

ada87:
Hi all,pls I need help oh,curses would be welcomed,I am 23weeks pregnant(would be due in december)and was abused by my husband,I bought a 3 weeks ticket for vavation,but now I am contemplating staying here in the us till I birth my baby,because I don't want to go back to hubby,I was stamped in till march,pls fellow experienced mama is dis right??or what do I need to do??

@triplekmama thanks dear I am in the us already,I chose Dec as my delivery date cos I might be using cs,due to fibroid that the dr in 9ja said is blocking the uterus,so I am looking at 37weeks which would be December,my fear is that I already declared vacation at the POE

Congratulations @oye84 [ quote author=oye84 post=49274962]Happy Sunday to everyone …………. Many thanks to everyone who has taken time to share their experience(s) with others……. The likes of me are greatly indebted
DH: Gave him 3 passports
VO continues to type and then hands over the white paper and says you can pick up your passports …………………. Didn’t hear the rest of what he said

Even though we diligently followed Phema’s list of Burden of Proof…………….No document was requested for, not to talk of checking them…….. We can only say thank you to God and to every one of you.

Next na POE for Houston and we know Baba God still dey gidigba for His throne and is still at work….. Will be sharing the success story.
Wishing all everyone success all the way
[/quote]

ada87:
Hi all,pls I need help oh,curses would be welcomed,I am 23weeks pregnant(would be due in december)and was abused by my husband,I bought a 3 weeks ticket for vavation,but now I am contemplating staying here in the us till I birth my baby,because I don't want to go back to hubby,I was stamped in till march,pls fellow experienced mama is dis right??or what do I need to do??

Claim asylum, do you have evidence (pictures, police report,doc report,etc) of the battery? You will need to prove ur life is in danger and if u step into 9ja d man will hunt you and make your life miserable.

If your hubby was a us citizen, u could av applied for domestic violence green card

Good luck

ada87:
Hi all,pls I need help oh,curses would be welcomed,I am 23weeks pregnant(would be due in december)and was abused by my husband,I bought a 3 weeks ticket for vavation,but now I am contemplating staying here in the us till I birth my baby,because I don't want to go back to hubby,I was stamped in till march,pls fellow experienced mama is dis right??or what do I need to do??

Stay back and have your baby. Your life FIRST! After that, you contemplate on sorting out the issues with him

Ok I get ur point.
U'll have to stay back and deliver first. While at it, research your options. It is well wit u.

ada87:
@triplekmama thanks dear I am in the us already,I chose Dec as my delivery date cos I might be using cs,due to fibroid that the dr in 9ja said is blocking the uterus,so I am looking at 37weeks which would be December,my fear is that I already declared vacation at the POE

U know why I like u? You can never carry last! Lol

nefertitiram:


Claim asylum, do you have evidence (pictures, police report,doc report,etc) of the battery? You will need to prove ur life is in danger and if u step into 9ja d man will hunt you and make your life miserable.

If your hubby was a us citizen, u could av applied for domestic violence green card

Good luck

Infact! Very straight to the point advice.

@Ada87,

Please flee from domestic violence (if that is the abuse you are talking about).

Please note that unless the fibroid is threatening the existence of the baby or your life or you have another complication, US doctors won't do the CS before 39weeks. So, please plan accordingly.

LadyGuinivere:
U know why I like u? You can never carry last! Lol

Yes it's domestic violence,which is why I fleed in the first place,I am just worried I didn't declare birthing baby at the POE,either ways 39weeks still fall into December,but can I stay that long till march that I was stamped in?would I be allowed into the us again?