It is going to vary from person to person. I have had women who were at the end of their labour, in transition, and wondering when it was going to get harder. Have also had mothers who needed a good deal of support in early labour. Have some who managed very well with some of the components of hypnobirthing or meditation.
Yes, it hurts....for some women it won't be too much more than painful menstrual cramps. For others it will be very challenging....but contractions come and go...they rise and fall, like waves rolling in and out. It is not one continuous contraction and you have short breaks inbetween. You have many options for comfort...positioning, birth ball, birthing pool or shower, aromatherapy (jasmine, lavendar, and grapefruit oils have worked well for women I have worked with), massage, pressure points, heat and cold therapy, walking, slow dancing, music, visualisation, depending on where you are things to eat and drink, pillows and blanket from home, extra labour support with a doula, etc.. Of course, there are pain med options that can be used as well.
Some women turn inward and focus on their breathing..imagine themselves somewhere else..sing along to the songs in their head or even out loud....chanting, moaning can be very helpful. Some do better with focusing externally....often on partner, something in the room, a picture or postcard.
In the scheme of things, it truly is a relatively short period of time for most women. Once things are well underway, many women will find that by that same time the next day, they will be cuddling their baby.