Hi Kaz and welcome to BB. I think everyone's answered your class question, and I'm not sure about the tearing with epidural issue, but I wanted to share with you my experience.
I read a lot about giving birth and I really looked forward to the birthing experience. There were lots of things I could've done to prepare myself better (eg I only tried perineal massage once!) but mostly I just tried to stay positive. I was REALLY afraid of tearing/ being cut. That's what really worried me. Just to share with you though, when I birthed Natalie I had a 2nd degree tear and it hasn't been a problem at all. I didn't feel it happen (and I didn't have any drugs) and afterward I was on such a high that I didn't care about being stitched and aside from a little itching as it is healing I haven't really even noticed them there.
It's only been two weeks since the birth, so I guess there's still time to experience discomfort (like we haven't tried DTD yet ) but I just wanted to reassure you, from someone who was really afraid, that tearing isn't such a traumatic thing. HTH.