More men trying out fatherhood in their 40s

At the age when many fathers are sending children to college, dad Dave Dougherty is pushing his first son on a backyard swing.

Mr. Dougherty is 46; his son, Conor, is 2. Mr. Dougherty met his wife later in life, having spent his younger years climbing the corporate ladder. "Then," he said, "I sort of realized I was running out of time."

Older fathers aren't a new phenomenon, but their ranks are growing. More men are fathering children later in life - especially at 40 and older - than ever before, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

About 24 of every 1,000 men in the United States between 40 and 44...