When your Doctor announces that amazing news that you are pregnant, it really can be thrilling and overwhelming all at the same time.
Definitely sets your mind in motion on where and how to have your baby. You somehow begin to make mental plans on how to go about the pregnancy and where your baby will be born.
Suffice it to say. that most people who want to have their babies outside of their home countries always plan way before their pregnancy happens.
If prior to now you have always planned to have your baby in the United States,now is the time to set your planning in motion. Remember you have time to plan now before your baby is born.
Here are a few things to consider when planing to have your baby in the USA
1 FINANCE
This is probably one of the first things to consider when planing to have your baby in the United States. You need to take cognisance of the medical cost involved. Do a very good research on the hospitals in the state or area where you intend to have your baby and compare cost. Also you ll need to draw up a budget on how much to spend on your Visa, Flight tickets, feeding,transportation, accommodation as well as some baby items, while you are there.Get in touch with the hospital and probe for their birth delivery procedures and bills.
*Tip– Research for a good Ob/gyn and ask for a list of hospitals where he consults. Always let them know you are paying cash because your hospital bill will be discounted.
2..Identify Which State or Hospital in the US you Intend to give birth.
You need to ascertain which part of the US you intend to give birth as well as the location of the hospital.
The bill and other documents sent from the hospital will include documents you will need to take to the US embassy during your Visa Interveiw if you don’t have a US Visa already.
The United States of America comprises of 50 States, being able to ascertain where exactly you will have your baby matters a lot. for instance having a baby in Newyork might cost higher than having your baby in Dallas,as Newyork is a metropolitan City.You also have to factor things like the weather, transportation and cost of accommodation in the area.
3. Accommodation; where you will be residing in the US before and when you have your baby is of the most importance. You need to consider if you will be staying with Relations, friends or renting an apartment. Proximity to your Obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob/gyn) or doctor’s office as well as the hospital where you will deliver your baby is key.
4. VISA
Well this is the first step in planing to have your baby in the United States.
Securing a US Visa is the first hurdle you need to cross. It is acceptable to give birth in the United States. It is not a crime to give birth in the United states.
A US Visa can be issued to a pregnant mother provided she can show evidence or proof that she is capable of paying all medical cost out of pocket in the United States.As well as be able to fund her accommodation or any other exigencies.
If you have a running B1/B2 Visa, you will be asked at the US customs and Border Protection(CBP) point also known as Point Of Entry(POE) in the US to show proof you are capable of paying for your medical expenses. Please have your paper work ready as the CBP officers are trained to be skeptical and security is their main concern.Answer all questions asked correctly and truthfully.
*It is pertinent to note that the United States has a record of countries like Nigeria, China etc for instance, whose citizens come to give birth in the US without paying their medical bills.Such people get to the US, give birth and fraudulently apply for medical aid and social security. If your country falls in that category be expected to be extra scrutinized, rejected or turned back at US Customs point, if you cannot provide substantial proof that you are capable of paying your medical bills in the United States.
5. MEDICAL RECORDS
Ensure you carry out all preliminary pregnancy test and keep your medical records with you. Your doctor in the US will need such medical information/history about you especially if you are far gone in your pregnancy by the time you arrive in the US
6. RESEARCH FOR AN APPROPRIATE AIRLINE FOR TRAVEL
It is appropriate when planning to have your baby in the US to ensure you research for an appropriate airline for travel. Go through the airlines and find out how many hours it will take you to get to your destination and hours of layovers. Flying direct to the US as well as long layovers might be stressful for a pregnant woman.
7. FIT TO FLY LETTER
This is also a letter or certificate you request from your doctor in your home country stating the duration of your pregnancy and that you are fit to fly. Some airlines have their policies as regards flying a pregnant woman. Some fly between 34-36weeks for single pregnancies and 28-32weeks for multiple pregnancies. Check with your airline for their policies.
8.PACKING
You are allowed to travel with some local food stuff, but they should be dry and properly packed and Labeled. Most pregnant women would prefer to stick to the food they are used to.You can travel with local food stuff like garri. Ogbono,dried fish,dried bitter leaf etc. Get a Ziploc bag and get them properly packed and labeled should incase you are queried at the US customs. Stay away from any liquids or fresh food. Some African food can actually be gotten in the US,but they are sometimes pretty expensive.
9.TRAVELING
Ensure you get to the airport on time,to sort out issues with Check in and boarding your flight. Ask your airline and make enquiries concerning your layover point and duration to your connecting flight. Dress in loose comfy clothes. Ask your doctor if you are allowed to wear a medical compression Socks to control your swollen feet while in the airplane.
10. PROXIMITY TO YOUR HOSPITAL IN THE US IS KEY
This is very important as a pregnant woman, you will be going for regular checks at your ob/gyn office(Doctor’s office)and eventually deliver at the hospital where he/she consults. Proximity to both places is key as you have to consider the distance to your Ob/gyn office and the hospital where you will deliver your baby.
10.GOING TO YOUR HOSPITAL IN THE US AND SORTING OUT YOUR BILL BEFORE DELIVERY
Make arrangement to fix an appointment to see your doctor in the US before you leave your home country.It is imperative that you get to your hospital and get your medical bills sorted before you give birth. This enables you save more and get discounts especially if you are paying cash. Signing the contract with the hospital prior to your delivery date will definitely help you save on cash.
Also you get to know more about the hospital environment where you intend to have your baby and which Unit or department to head to once your Labour starts. Most hospitals in the US are mostly big facilities and you ll need to know your way around and be familiar with the environment Some hospitals organize tours around the hospital for pregnant women prior to them having their babies. Just so you have a grasp of the hospital environment and know where to head to once your labour starts.
You will make payment on the birth procedure your ob/gyn has recommended whether its Caesarean or Vaginal delivery.
11. TRANSPORTATION
Depending on the State where you will be residing in the US, you will need to be conversant with the mode of transportation which is obtainable and affordable there. If you are staying with Relations and friends they will help you make arrangements with transportation. But if not, you might have to download the Uber or Lyft app which is widely used in the US for you to be able to move around, may be to your doctors office, hospital or shopping.
* it is always good to make arrangements prior to your arrival to the US on someone who will be available for you. As a pregnant woman you will be needing help most times more so when your baby is born. Some people make arrangements to travel with their husbands, mothers, mother in law,relations etc to make things easier for them.
12. SHOPPING
You might want to do some shopping before your baby is born. Take the weather into consideration when shopping for your baby. Remember to shop for relevant items you ll need and get yourself ready. Find out available shops in your area where you can get good affordable baby items.
* You will also compulsorily get a baby car seat, which you’ll use to transport your baby home when he or she is born. It is illegal to carry a baby in a car without a car seat in the US.
13. Get a Baby name ready for your child
You will be required to register your baby once he/she is born. in some other countries a particular date is set for naming the child like 7days after birth. You will be required to provide a name for birth registration of your baby in the US once he/she is born. Since the Sex of your baby might be uncertain its always best to get a boy and girl name ready for your baby.
14. Medical Bill after delivery
Please pay all medical Bills after delivery. Please do not accept Medic Aid. You can have an arrangement with the hospital if you require your Bill to be spread for you to pay on installments.
15. Application for baby’s travel documents
When your baby is born, you will need to apply for a US passport for your baby. As well as a Nigerian passport or a Visa or an emergency travel document for your baby. You will also require a dual way ticket for your baby
