my first period

Knowing what I know now, really my first period was the first sign that something was not right. I have been thinking about my first period a lot and it really was worse than what most of my friends experienced.

I remember waking that day in pain thinking maybe it was something I ate giving me wind, I dismissed it and went to school. by break time the pain was worse and I hoped it wasn't a really upset stomach, but I went to French class. Sitting in French class and all of a sudden I felt a whoosh of fluid and felt like I had wet myself. I went up to the teacher and asked politely if I could go to the toilet and she said firmly "No you have just had break sit down" suddenly I could feel the eyes of the whole class on me. I quietly explained I didn't feel well and really needed the toilet she gave a look that said you're making a fuss but ok. I have never moved so fast down the corridor without running.

I get to the bathroom and pull my underwear down and they are soaked with blood. I knew what periods were mum had always been very open about her body and I had an older sister, but this seemed like a lot of blood. After all, the school had said a woman loses an eggcup of blood over her whole period usually around 4 to 5 days. I quickly wiped what I could and rolled up a whole lot of tissue and put it in my underwear. I tied my jumper around my waist and took myself back to French class. Too embarrassed to get excused again I crossed my legs and waited until the end of class.

After French class, it was lunch I went to the front office and said I don't feel well I need to go home. the reception staff all women asked what it was could they help, but I was too embarrassed to say what it was or why I needed to go home. after all, this is what every woman went through every month so why was I so upset. they rang my dad and he came to pick me up (my mum worked and my dad was at home)

I got in the car and burst into tears. I was lucky I was close to my dad and could be honest with him about what was happening and how upset I was. he calmly explained it wasn't a problem it was a good thing meant my body was working as it should and there was everything I needed at home. When we got home he ran me a bath to try and help with the tummy pains and make me feel cleaner after leaking into my clothes. while I was in the bath he got me clean clothes and pads. my dad helped my first experience get a bit easier, but it was painful and heavy. I never felt like my periods were normal but it wasn't something that girls talked about easily or even at all, I couldn't find out quite how different mine were to normal.