I don't remember feeling a lot of movement once in full blown labour, but the MWs did have to keep adjusting the monitors to find DS, so obviously he was moving. Pre-labour did go on for quite a while for me - I realised I was in pre-labour when I just *had* to have 11 showers in one night, and couldn't sleep until the sun rose.

Trust your instincts. When it happens, you'll know it. There really is no mistaking the change of intensity and frequency of contractions. All the best!