E.S.
Lamaze classes are helpful for some people...not so for others. The birth environment you choose will make a big difference in your experience. (I chose home for maximum chance of avoiding surgery and maximum control) I have heard good things about Phoenix Baptist...about the "crunchiest" place in town.
I bought the Hypbirth CD set. It was nice to just practice at home (sometimes with doula help) Do you have experienced help...like a doula, if you plan on being in the hospital? That increases your chances of satisfaction a lot.
I think women have to feel free to choose which method of dealing with labor really suits them. Some of us are very vocal, some can visualize well, some are kinesthetic. (Many hospitals prefer the visualization - like hypno stuff and lamaze - as women can then be passive in a bed hooked up to stuff. Vocal and kinesthetic methods of handling contractions have traditionally have not been so appreciated.)
You might want to look at the range of stuff available now to women, and fits what suits you. If you care about what you look and sound like during labor (what other people think of you) ...the hypno stuff may be for you. If you feel following instinct is the most natural thing and best..something like Birthing from within might be good.