Which of the following indicates true labor?

The correct response is associated with the presence of true labor characteristics, which include specific patterns of pain and contractions. Pain in the lower back that radiates to the abdomen is a classic sign of true labor. This type of pain typically indicates that the body is actively preparing for childbirth, reflecting the changes in the cervix and the onset of regular contractions that help in the effacement and dilation process during labor.

In contrast, other options do not align with the characteristics of true labor. True labor contractions tend to increase in intensity and frequency rather than decrease with activity, as indicated in the second option. Localized discomfort in the abdomen, without the context of back pain or a specific pattern in contractions, suggest a different issue, possibly related to Braxton Hicks contractions or other non-labor-related discomforts. Lastly, irregular contractions generally indicate that labor has not yet begun, as true labor is characterized by regular, consistent, and progressively stronger contractions.