Advice on Prenatal Care for Non US Resident

There might be something w/in the Hispanic community which may be able to help her or you can call around to different doctors to find out how much they charge for a pre-natal visit. Other than that, there really isn't much you can do. She will have to pay out of pocket for care, but if doctor's know that she's paying in cash, then they might be willing to discount the price on the services.

The only way she is ever going to have any rights here is to go through the immigration process correctly. I know myself how expensive and what a challenge that process is as I have been through it. I spent four years going back and forwards to my husband here in the U.S waiting for my visa to come through. I had to go through one pregnancy back home without my husband because I had no right to help here, that was my choice though to get pregnant before I had my visa.
Does the baby's father not have any insurance? Is he not able to help her?

E., she really needs to return home and work things out there. She is just working here and not supposed to be living here permanently - that is a different type of visa, and if she wanted to stay here, she should have applied for that a long time ago. It may be expensive, but she came all this way to work here, so she must be reaping some type of reward. Columbia can probably help her. We have enough citizens and residents in this country right now that need assistance, particularly in Michigan. If she hasn't stayed in the US illegally for very long, she may be able to come back if she returns home and takes care of her business there. The longer she stays in the US, the bigger problems she will have in the future.

i work at the DMC. Not sure if she can help but i pray she can point you in the right direction. ###-###-####

Cherie

Sorry E. this is a very touchy subject - immigration and healthcare - and I don't have any advise for you other than she needs to go through the process to renew her visa. If she is to live in the US then she needs to follow the rules. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but as someone who has jumped through all the hoops and plays by the rules, I get very frustrated with other immigrants who choose to be illegal. I am sure she is a very lovely woman and the best way you can help her is to help her fill out the immigration forms she needs and then use her 'wages' to pay the filing fees.

good luck

D.,
I am trying to figure out why you responded to my post since you neither had any advice nor recommendations. Just couldn't keep your judgment to yourself I see. Seriously, you clearly speak not from having any knowledge but rather a simplified view of ‘those illegal immigrants”. Ah yes, so simply to assume it is only about paperwork and money... Since you have opened the door on opinion, I will take you up, cause I've got my opinions too. In fact, I too have 'played by the rules' and work hard for a living. It is absolutely frustrating to me all the lazy, racist, ignorant Americans who feel entitled to every benefit without a work ethic themselves or any self discipline. I personally am tired of bailing out our unions and our self absorbed Americans who can’t pay their bills because they got buried in their greed. Yes, you should be afraid of others who come to this country who are willing to work hard without carrying the ‘entitlement’ card. Perhaps you should pick up a history book and read up on how this country was built and by who. My babysitter didn’t even ask for my help, I just was hoping there was someone who might know of affordable pre-natal care, period. I guess she should have aborted. Oh wait, you must be pro-life right? That would be typical, heavy on opinion but nothing on substance or solutions. You don’t know her, you don’t know her intentions and you really should try getting off your high horse ‘cause it can be a long fall.

E. - I am not an american citizen - yet - but I am very familiar with the immigration process having gone through it myself.

Sorry E. - I misunderstood, clearly, if she is not looking for free healthcare she can go absolutely anywhere she chooses. Your right, anyone who is just looking for healthcare should not get caught up in the legalities of hiring illegal aliens - it's just that you were the one that mentioned you had an undocumented person working for you and so I responded as kindly as possible using my experience in the system. I certainly did not have any hidden agenda, political or otherwise I was just offering advise - whether you take that advise is entirely up to you. Your response to me and in your edit were TOTALLY OUT OF LINE, RUDE AND UNCALLED FOR. You made assumptions about me that were completely wrong (which you would have known if you had actually read my post) and then you resorted to name calling - not cool E., not cool at all. I did not judge you, I advised you how to help her, I don't know why you would turn that around and make me into the bad guy and I hope this is an isolated incident and not how you conduct yourself in your daily life - whatever, it is of no concern of mine outside of this post and how you have treated teh responders.

Good luck for the future.

Wow...these people really are judgmental! I was looking to see what kind of responses you got because I have a friend in a similar situation. She and her husband are from Canada and here for a training program just for 1 year. They were not planning to get pregnant while here, but they did so are looking for the best options for prenatal care. She plans to deliver in Canada, as that's where they call "home", and as I mentioned they are only here 1 year. I think she will be traveling there (fortunately it's not too far, but not close either!) for ultrasounds and bloodwork. And I think she found a dr. here that will do some of the physical exams, dopplers for heartbeat, bp, basic stuff they wouldn't have to bill insurance for (as they have none) but to make sure things are progressing along ok. I hope your friend is able to work something out and have a healthy baby! You are a good friend for trying to help!

As to all the immigrant stuff, people are quick to judge and slow to listen. We don't know all the details of this woman's situation and it's not fair to judge based on the limited information you provided in your question. The point of mamasource is to get opinions...not be pummeled with political agendas. I'm sorry you didn't get the help you were looking for...