How did fetal movement differ for you before labor?

I'm 40+1 and for the last two days babys movements are quite different. He doesn't bounce my belly or kick/punch anymore. I still feel hiccups, his little head moving in my pelvis, and random flickers of movement but it's very different from before. I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't get checked out as im used to very rough hurt my insides for hours after kind of movements from him. Also since Wed I've been dilated to a 3, 80% effaced, and he's engaged, but no contractions to speak of. Possibly a sign of nearing labor?