First time mom birth story

Let me first start off saying.. I was absolutely terrified to have my baby. Listening to everyone's horror stories just about threw me into an anxiety attack it seemed. All of the stories with "the burning.." "The tearing.." The "grueling never ending hours of labor". I mean.. If there was something scary to be said about labor.. I heard it!! So my husband left to workout around 8pm.. I sat down.. Turned on my Tuesday night show with a big ole bowl of cereal. I got up to head upstairs to start brushing my teeth & washing my face. And I starting feeling what I thought at the time was poop cramps. So I called my husband and said hey I'm having pains.. But don't come home yet... Just keep a close eye on your phone so I went to the restroom a few times & the pain was still there. So I called him and said come home right now!! So he ends up showing up and he starts grabbing everything to head to the hospital. I was still in denial. I didn't think I was actually in labor. But at this point I felt comfortable to get checked out. So we arrived to the hospital close to midnight and from 10-12 I was having contractions every 5
Minutes. They took me in the back room and checked me.. 5 CM! The nurse said great! We'll get you into a room.. Run you a nice bath. So I walked across the birthing ward into our room. But the contractions were pretty intense. I didn't want socks.. I didn't want to talk.. I wanted to close my eyes and get this pain to stop! So I got into bed and the nurse was fumbling with my Iv.. Tried one arm.. Didn't work.. Tried the other. Within 25 minutes of me being in the room I said.. I felt like I needed to push & wham! My water broke!! At that point I was really scared because everyone told me once
Your water breaks the contractions are waayyyy worse. I didn't feel as though they progressed. I felt as though I needed to push more. So the nurse checked me and yes! I was 10 CM and ready ! I pushed as hard as I could for 20 minutes and my baby boy was born!!! I did not have an epidural or any pain medication. I did tear and got 3 stitches; however i did not feel that. (Basically it sounds scarier than it actually is) I had to ask the nurse if I tore. Birth & labor was by all means the hardest thing I've done.. But nothing like everyone told me. My total labor was 4 hours! I hope my story will encourage everyone out there and happy delivering to all of you!!!