Which of the following would be indicative of false labor?

In the context of differentiating between true labor and false labor, the observation that sedation decreases or stops contractions is indicative of false labor. This phenomenon occurs because false labor, often referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions, is characterized by irregular contractions that do not lead to cervical dilation and can be influenced by factors such as maternal activity or sedation.

When a person in false labor is sedated, the relaxation effects of the sedation can effectively halt these non-productive contractions, demonstrating their lack of progression and distinction from true labor, where contractions would typically persist or increase despite interventions like sedation.

In contrast, the other scenarios presented, including progressive frequency and intensity of contractions, discomfort radiating from the back into the abdomen, and increased contractions with activity, align more closely with the characteristics of true labor. In true labor, contractions intensify and become more regular and frequent, often accompanied by pain that starts in the back and moves to the front. Increased activity tends to stimulate genuine contractions rather than diminish them, which again, underscores the transient nature of false labor.