Oregon hospital attempting to reduce rate of cesarean births

An article published earlier this week details the steps Oregon Health & Science University is taking to reduce the number of women undergoing cesarean sections for delivery of their babies.  The hospital’s current rate of cesarean–about 1 in 3–is on par with the national average.  Care providers at the hospital, in an attempt to reduce that number, are allowing for some attempted vaginal deliveries of certain types of breech babies, VBACs after one and two cesareans, and nonvertex twins.  This seems to be a step in the right direction, and a great option for mothers that would feel safer in the hospital.  But what about the implication that certain types of births should take place in a hospital as opposed to at home?  This hospital seems to be opening the door for women who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have a chance of a vaginal delivery in the hospital, but, of course, some women will still to choose to birth at home for many and varied reasons.  It is ICAN’s belief that a woman’s choice of care provider and location of birth should be respected.

What are your thoughts?