It was the least of my worries. I honestly didn't feel it. I had a small tear that needed about 3 stitches and i didn't feel those either. If you weren't in labour and tore your vagina it would hurt like hell, but when you're in labour with all the hormones rushing about and the pain of contractions going on you don't really notice a small tear. But your fear of tearing could inhibit your progression of labour, the mind is a powerful thing. So do whatever you can and talk about it a lot until you are comfortable with the idea that you might get a small tear. As for sex post vaginal birth with a tear, i haven't had too many complaints. It was certainly painful for a few months, but all is fine now.