Question

What are the manifestations of false labor?

1) Regular contractions that increase in intensity and frequency
2) Contractions that stop or decrease with activity or rest
3) Contractions that are felt in the lower back and radiate to the abdomen
4) Contractions that are accompanied by bloody show

Answer 1

False labor is characterized by irregular contractions that diminish with rest or activity, differing from true labor where regular contractions increase in frequency and intensity, and are not relieved by hydration or rest.

Step-by-step explanation:

The manifestations of false labor include contractions that may seem irregular and do not increase in intensity or frequency. Specifically, the answer to the student's question would be number 2: Contractions that stop or decrease with activity or rest. To further clarify, in true labor, regular contractions immediately precede childbirth, do not abate with hydration or rest, and become more frequent and powerful over time.

These true labor contractions are stimulated by the stretching of the myometrium and cervix by a full-term fetus in the vertex (head-down) position, leading to the initiation of regular contractions. Additionally, the bloody show, which involves the expulsion of a mucus plug from the cervical canal, typically happens 1-2 days prior to true labor, not false labor.