I had 2nd degree tear with DS, and am currently wondering what will happen this time round, (due in 5 days!!) don't want an epi, but did find the tear healed really well, and I had very minimal discomfort.

everyone told me to have salt baths, and use ice packs, but I didn't need them, just a little panadene.

what i do highly recomend for a tear is 2 showers a day, just bend over & let the water do it's job to keep the area nice and clean & I found that using an ultrathin pad to wick the moisture away meant no rubbing or toweling getting caught on stitches.