So you've had all the children you want, and it all comes down to this question: which one of you is going to get sterilized? Or are you both going to get sterilized?
While both the vasectomy and tubal ligation procedures are close to being the same in effectiveness against getting pregnant again (both at a failure rate below 1 %), one can look like a better choice than another. Both can be reversed, though a vasectomy is much less complicated to reverse. The vasectomy is also considered the most over-all effective contraceptive, above tubal ligation.
Reasons to get choose tubal ligation include the convenience of having the procedure done at the same time a mother is in the hospital delivering her last baby. Some men (and some women) also fear the side effects from having a vasectomy. Side effects can include a lot of discomfort.
Resons to choose to have a vasectomy include the fact that vasectomies are usually much less expensive. They are also much easier for a doctor to perform. There are fewer complications involved, and a much lower mortality rate.
So which one would you choose?
(More to come about complications and mortality related to tubal ligation)