Flushable wipes to use instead of toilet paper. I was ready to marry my packet of flushable wipes when I was still in hospital, so much more gentle. (This was after a second degree tear).

Other than that if you are in pain take some pain relief, it is better for your recovery and healing to feel more comfortable and move about normally than to be uncomfortable and avoid moving about or doing it awkwardly.

I am definitely going to stock up on normacol (helps with constipation) or something like that this time because I had real trouble in that department and it was unpleasant to say the least. Need.to.keep.things.moving.