We have a very similar outlook to yours, I think. Just signed up for Susan Messina's weekend intensive after doing a bunch of research.

I took Amy Bookwalter's class after five natural births, with a whole library of birth books on my shelf, and still learned so much! She is a gifted doula and instructor, and I couldn't recommend her more highly:

http://www.rosebuddoula.net/

To each his own. My hubby's travels a ton
And we knock out 4 different classes in
One weekend. Class cost would have Been
About $450, so with all food, room at the
Ritz Carlton for 2 nts, and 1 hr massage
For each of us, it was worth it.
Would luv to go to somewhere sunny, but
Not realistic with our schedules
If not ur cup of tea, that's ur choice
For us it's a fun valentines escape!

The $1,200 Sibley class at Sibley sounds absurd. When i saw it for the first time I thought it was a joke. There's no way that the information they provide is any better than the regular fee you pay for the One day Intensive at the hospital.
If you want to spend that kind of money, go to REAL hotel/spa and spend it at the pool and pampering yourself... NOT locked in in a conference room and a schedule.

Anonymous wrote:If u r in a position to treat yourself,
Sublet has a wknd long spa wknd with multiple
Classes covEred, food, hotel, and massage
For u and partner
I believe it runs for $1200, and includes
2 nighTs at ritz Carlton in tysons

seriously?

Sorry that should say sibley

If u r in a position to treat yourself,
Sublet has a wknd long spa wknd with multiple
Classes covEred, food, hotel, and massage
For u and partner
I believe it runs for $1200, and includes
2 nighTs at ritz Carlton in tysons

I also took Amy Bookwalter's class - it's a Friday PM and Saturday all day. I'm actually a second-time mom and still found it extremely informative.

I would recommend Susan Messina's class (but it books up far in advance) or the Lamaze classes in MoCo.

Amy Bookwalter has a great weekend class at Freedom Center--just Google "Rosebud Doula"

Second Messina's Birthworks weekend class.

Lamaze with Marylou Tietz in Bethesda. She's terrific!

I did the Sibley "preparing for childbirth class" and i liked it. If you are delivering at Sibley, it's a no-brainer.
I'm also doing Lamaze, it's only 4 classes of 2 hours each. You can also take them in one day.
So far, my Lamaze teacher Sarah is great!

birth works with Susan Messina. do a search here for reviews. We did a weekend, it was pro-natural cb, but quite balanced. we supplemented with books.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for recommendations for weekend-long intensive childbirth education classes. I am very interested in natural childbirth but I don't want to commit to an 8 or 12 week course. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Update - Thank you so much everyone! I'm leaning heavily towards Marylou Tietz or Susan Messina (unfortunately Rosebud is almost an hour's drive from our place).

I've heard that Susan Messina is pretty touchy-feely. My husband and I are pretty pragmatic people and I'm not sure if that will work for us. For those of you who took her class, do you feel like it was a little artsy, or was it more on the practical side? Thank you!