A CANOEIST is preparing for an operation to have her eggs frozen – so she can delay motherhood in a bid to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Helen Barnes will become one of the first people in the country to put her fertility on ice to prepare for the event.

She will walk into a Nottingham clinic on Saturday for an operation which will allow her to follow her Olympic dream without missing out on the chance to have a family.

Ten to 15 of the 36-year-old's eggs will be taken from her ovaries and suspended in nitrogen at -197C by staff at CARE Fertility near Nuthall.

They can be unfrozen at any time, meaning Helen can concentrate on other areas of her life and become a mother when or if she chooses.

The new technology could make all the difference to the West Bridgford supply teacher's chances of taking part in the London Games in four years' time.

After missing out on a spot in the canoe slalom event at this year's Beijing Games, she is determined not to let anything to stop her competing in 2012.

She said: "When I missed out on Beijing I didn't feel ready to finish, and wanted to continue and go to the 2012 Olympics.

"I had not heard of freezing my eggs but I looked it up on the internet and thought it was something really worth thinking about.

"I think every woman has the right to do whatever they want to do with their body.

"All I am doing is maximising my chances of having a baby in future."

The arguments for this course of action are becoming increasingly familiar to women who have to choose between a career and family life.

Women's fertility drops dramatically when they are in their late 30s, but freezing eggs and keeping them in storage provides insurance if they are unable to conceive elsewhere.

Previous egg-freezing techniques had low success rates, as the cells were often destroyed by water inside them turning to ice and expanding.

But by extracting water from the eggs before freezing, staff at CARE have ensured that 85% will survive.

The original procedure will cost around £2,500, and each year the eggs are stored will cost an extra £100. But Helen – who is currently single – considers it money well spent.

She said: "Some people will spend that on a holiday or three-piece suite.

"The money is a consideration but I am doing it for the peace of mind I will get and the fact I am doing everything I can for the future."

CARE managing director, Dr Simon Fishel, said the company was "delighted" to help Helen.

He said: "She can concentrate knowing that when she wants a family there are eggs stored should they be needed.

"Many women are right to worry about the ticking of their biological clock – the age of their eggs is a vital factor in conceiving."

Helen said she could still consider having a family before the Olympics if she meets the right person.

And the Irish canoeist – who is ranked No.1 in her country in the canoe slalom – has the support of her parents, Magda and Cliff, in embracing the new technique.

She said: "My mum told me she thinks it is an incredibly sensible thing to do.

"She was quite sceptical about the egg freeze but she has researched it herself and seen the survival rate is high."

Anyone who wants more information about CARE – which is based at Nottingham Business Park – can visit www.carefertility.com.

robert.parsons@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk