We were provided with infant resuscitation training whilst Bethan was in intensive care and were advised by the intensive care team to provide suctioning and oxygen whenever Bethan oxygen levels fell 'Desaturation' or 'Desat'. However, once we were home with Bethan and following regular desaturation periods, it became very apparent that the oxygen was not helping Bethan to recover. It improved her oxygen levels temporarily, but as soon as we turned the oxygen off, her oxygen levels would fall again.

The BiPAP ventilator gave Bethan's lungs the pressure they required to stay open and she would recover from Desats within seconds of being put on the BiPAP ventilator. As Bethan grew older, she would communicate to us in her own special way when it was time to go on the BiPAP.

The BiPAP ventilator also gave us the confidence to take Bethan out in her pushchair and in the car and substantially reduced our anxiety over Desats and choking.

When Bethan was not on the ventilator, we were regularly using the suction machine to clear Bethan's oral and nasal secretions.

As the BiPAP provides a two-way (in and out) pressure, we found that it helped draw out secretions and Bethan did not require suctioning whilst on the BiPAP ventilator.

To manage away any excess secretions we always had one of two suction machines nearby and on charge. We had tried several makes and models but the most useful was made by Laerdal. This was mainly as you could alter the speed and suction with a dial on the side which meant if you just wanted a gentle suction you could set the dial and this also meant you could run it quite quietly. Some other makes had just on (jumbo jet at take off) or off settings which was not what you needed at 3.a.m.