According to a study that is quoted at www.lifescript.com, a first time father's age has a correlation to the health outcome of his baby, if the man is over 40 years old.

According to research published in a recent issue of the journal Epidemiology, babies born to middle-aged dads are more likely to experience weakened health than babies born to men in their 20s. Danish researchers looked at data from more than 70,000 live births between 1980 and 1996. Their results indicated that first-time fathers between 45-49 years of age were more likely to have infants who suffered from weakened heart rate and respiration, poor reflexes, and below-average skin and muscle tone.

Of course, now new studies are planned to see what else can be learned in this relationship of paternal age and offspring health.

So, add one more thing to the laundry list of already stressed out minds. Mamas to be are already hearing their own ticking clocks in their own minds, (or ovaries) and now we have to worry about this as well? Adding in another ticking clock is enough to drive anyone batty. Let me just say this, unfair! Now, I know that life is not fair, otherwise we wouldn't be in these infertility situations in the first place, but come on!

Now that I've had my little rant, I can go on with this post. They are stating that in the study only men between the ages of 45 to 49 were used. These men were also first time fathers.

I guess if we weren't feeling the pressure before, it is on now. We have also added in a whole new type of couple into the pregnancy rush, where the male is of "advanced age." These couples are not free to only wait for the advancement of the female's age, having to take into account the age of the male as well. Like I said before, just one more thing to deal with.