Want To Have Your Baby Abroad? Here Are 6 Important Things You Should Know

• Ayo AL
• January 12, 2021
• Living
• tips for giving birth abroad, tips for giving birth in the us, what to know before giving birth abroad
• 0 Comments

These days, more ad more women are buying into the idea of having their children in the US and it is not such a bad idea. All you need to do is know the essential things required of you in order to have a smooth trip and delivery.

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Here are a few things to know:

1. Visa requirements

With a tourist/visitors Visa, you are eligible to deliver your child abroad . Once you have employment/business and family ties in Nigeria showing you intend to return and you can also present bank statements proving you can afford to cover all the expenses for your trip, there’s a very high possibility that you will be granted a visa.

Be honest and very transparent with the visa officer.  Once they confirm you have sufficient funds to cover all medical expenses and will not be a ward of the Government, you’ll be granted a visa. More honest people I know got their visas than dishonest people.

2. Do your pre-birth research

Location? Out of the country? In your host country? What type of extended housing and transportation is available at the birth location? Also, remember to check your visa and make sure you won’t run into unforeseen issues if you want to give birth in your host country.

Ask around other experts, search the internet and don’t be afraid to reach out to these experts with your questions even if you don’t know them.

3. Secure a place to stay.

Remember the whole process might take longer than you hope. By the time you have passport and visa in hand combined with flying restrictions,  you may find yourself relocated for 2 to 3 months.

You want comfortable and affordable accommodations. Check with other companies and organizations that have home offices in the city you will be staying. Maybe if they have vacancies you can get a cheaper rate than through a private rental.

Also, check with the hospitals themselves, especially, if the country is known for medical tourism. The hospital may be able to direct you to a location close by.

4. Report the birth to your embassy and apply for the baby’s passport

After obtaining the legal documents such as birth certificate passport, and social security, you would also need to obtain a valid Nigerian visa for your baby.

You’re required to make an appointment for this so don’t just show up to the embassy unannounced. There are also a bit of documents you need to have ready to turn in once you’ve made your appointment.

Here are some documents you will need for  this phase:

• Parents’ marriage certificate (original copy)
• Evidence of the citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States (i.e. school report cards, W-2 forms, passport entry/exit stamps, etc)
  Hospital records and records of pre-natal care
• You also need to have a passport photo of your baby ready for his/her application.

5.What happens after delivery?

Unlike Nigeria, where all hands are most times available  to help you when you arrive home from the health facility: Grandmothers, Mothers, Aunts, nannies and even friends you will most likely have to learn the ropes fast on your own and this has been considered as the most trying experience of having a child abroad.

You might also have to cope with the stress of travelling with a newborn when you are ready to return back home.

6. Do not be afraid to ask for help

Don’t underestimate how much others want to help you. When there’s an opportunity to hold a precious little newborn baby, people are going to be quick to offer you some help.

ou might feel guilty asking someone to drive way out of the way to come and get you but trust us, people want to help. Don’t rob someone of the joy that comes from helping others. Speaking as a person who likes to give, it really does bring me joy. So let the givers give and the helpers help.