The only things we used from our well packed labour bag were lip balm, camera (with spare batteries) and coins to get the TV on when I got to the post natal ward.

I had a couple of t shirt type nighties packed to labour in but what I actually laboured in were the trackies & maternity tshirt that I arrived at hossy in and by the time I wanted to get out of that I was more than happy to get into one of their gowns (even though I thought I wouldn't want to). I had a long labour and my waters broke at hossy so I needed several changes in gown. I also ended up with blood all over the final gown I wore so was very glad not to have worn my own clothing.

We had both the labour bag and the hossy bag in the labour ward with us (the midwife told us it was fine to bring them both in) and I wish we'd packed less in the labour bag as it took seemingly forever for DF to find the lip balm when I needed it as I had too much other stuff packed in there like toiletries that I didn't have any desire to use until I went to the ward.

Unless you are having an epidural I wouldn't be taking cards. I couldn't even concentrate on the news items on the TV in the room.