At one point this year, I knew 13 pregnant women in the area. Most were first-time mothers-to-be. A few were seasoned pros. All of them were style conscious enough to want to be as pretty as possible up until the big day -- and after that, well, as much as a new baby would allow.

As many of them get ready for their first Mother's Day, I asked them what beauty- or style-related Mother's Day gift would help them feel -- and look -- a little more like themselves?

The biggest response (other than more sleep and more time) was a massage. Gift certificates will do just fine, they said.

Kimberly Perry, owner of Absolute Body Balance in Raleigh, says it's a popular gift for mommies-to-be and new moms.

"It's hard on your body having a baby," she says.

Her company is certified in pregnancy massages and gets plenty of requests for postnatal massages too. Some people even give them as baby shower gifts.

She is running a Mother's Day special -- one-hour gift certificates for a massage cost $60 instead of $70.

The next most popular request? A pedicure. Again, gift certificates, please. And it doesn't have to be anything fancy. A $25 pedicure will do the trick, but the $80 spa pedicures -- all the works -- are welcome too. Most said they just wanted the luxury of having pretty toes when there's little time or energy to do their own pedicure at home.

Diaper bags were another request. No, not the frumpy ones. And certainly not just one. How about a diaper bag for each car and one for the stroller, one friend suggested. And as it turns out, Raleigh handbag maker Holly Aiken makes three different diaper bag models -- the smaller Bomber diaper tote for $162 and two variations of the Airship diaper messenger bag for $174. Each comes with a matching changing roll inside.

Get one custom-made by Aiken at her Glenwood South studio, or buy one of the many in stock.

If you're thinking bling, so were they.

In keeping with the baby theme, jeweler Carrie Weston has the perfect "street meets sweet" iconic necklace for the new mommy: A sterling silver or gold safety pin pendant. Silver costs $150. Gold is $350. Check them out at www.carrieweston.com.

Another new mom told me she couldn't wait to use her Green Pea baby pouch. Carry a newborn or a toddler with the same pouch -- just make sure to get the right size to fit the new mom. Best of all? Green Pea uses cute fabrics, anything from Eiffel Tower prints to pink and green paisleys. Find them for $65 at www.greenpeadesigns.com.

Take care of your skin

It's not a pretty problem -- skin cancer.

This month is the time to start thinking about how to avoid it, not only because it's National Skin Cancer Awareness month, but because this is when we increase the time we spend in the sun. After all, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. The chances go up to one in three for Caucasians.

Several cosmetic companies want to help you stay cancer free.

Sephora has partnered with the Skin Cancer Foundation with its first "sun safety kit," which includes eight travel-ready sun protection products in a yellow mesh travel bag. Among the products: Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30, Bliss Sunban Face SPF 30, Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30 and Juice Beauty SPF 15 tinted lip moisturizer in Playful. The cost is $22, but all of the profits ($18.23) go to the Skin Care Foundation.

Too Faced Cosmetics has a new Love Lisa Beauty Battle Box to benefit skin cancer research. What's inside? A little help to create a natural-looking pink and gold glow, including four eye shadows, two lip glosses and one face shimmer. Cost is $32.50 at Sephora. The company says 42 percent of the net proceeds will go to the Melanoma Research Foundation.