J-1, J-2, moving with a newborn baby

[enaxor]

My husband has been offered a post doctoral position for a year in Boston. The university has made it clear that the J-1 visa is what he needs, and I would have to apply for a J-2 visa. The situation was pretty simple initially (or as simple as moving to a new country can be...) but now that the start of his work has been postponed, things seem more complicated. I am 5 months pregnant, and while I was initially supposed to deliver while in the US, and am now going to deliver about a month before the big move.
Does anyone know if there is any way I can get a visa for the baby fast enough so that i can follow my husband when he moves? I know i get a passport within a few days by fast tracking the request for a birth certificate and passport, but it still seems REALLY tight. Can I start the process ahead of time?
How can i find out?

[Steven]

You don't need a visa if you're Canadian citizens, they're not required. All you need is your passports (or NEXUS cards) and the approved DS-2019 and proof of paying the application fee. Application for J status is made at the POE by Canadian citizens.

Getting a passport for your baby is the trick. If you don't accompany your husband you need proof of his status in the US and proof of the relationship, which in this case would be your marriage certificate and the baby's birth certificate.

Definitely would be better to give birth in the US, because then the baby is a dual-citizen. Problem people always have in non-immigrant categories is that their children have no status when they grow up.

Have a look at www.amcits.com at the provisions for Canadian citizens.

[enaxor]

Thanks for the info. I will certainly be looking into it in more details because i was under the impression that both the baby and I would need a visa to enter the US as we would be staying for more than 180 days (or maybe I misunderstood your answer?).
What I still need to figure out is whether or not i will be able to get a DS-2019 on time for the little one. Can the process be started before the birth (ie, before i know his/her name, birthdate and passport number?)
Thanks for the advice about delivering in the states. As we are going to be there for a contract only and would not want to be raising our kid in the US, this is less of an issue for us. I would have never thought of it myself however...

[Steven]

You don't need a visa or a DS-2019. The principal applicant (i.e. your husband) needs the DS-2019 (or whatever form it is, might be a different one depending on the nature of the entry, e.g. DS-7002), you are a dependent of the primary applicant. All you need are your passports and proof that you are dependents, i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate for the baby. That's it. Your husband needs proof he has paid the SEVIS fee, i.e. the receipt.

None of you need visas, the visa requirement doesn't apply to Canadian citizens. This is a unique exemption that only applies to Canadians (and certain people from Bermuda).

http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/canadians.asp

Like it says about halfway down, only limited categories of non-immigrant Canadians require a visa to enter the US, these are people in A, G, E, K or V categories, which you aren't.

Like I said above, your only real difficulty is getting a passport in a timely manner for your baby, which is another reason giving birth in the US would be an advantage.