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Mortified after period leak, want to cry

96 replies

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:26

I work as a support worker for the family of a young boy with severe special needs. Am working alone with the father this week as the child is off school due to Easter and mum couldn’t get the time off.

I assisted the father with the school run to collect child’s younger sibling, it’s a two-man job to take the special needs child anywhere as he is big and has no sense of danger, he can and does run off. Anyway, the family have a lovely new Tesla, a few weeks old. I am currently on my period, didn’t think anything of it, I only bleed moderately and had replaced my tampon an hour prior. Yet when we got to the school and I got out of the passenger seat, I noticed the stain on the white seats. I immediately panicked but there was nothing I could do, no wipes in the vicinity and the dad was already getting the older child out of the car so I needed to go with them. I spent the whole time outside the school wondering WTF to do and I couldn’t think of anything.

The younger child immediately comes out and we head back to the car. All I could think to do was quickly lick my finger and wipe the stain as quickly as I could whilst the dad put the school bag in the boot, and hope he didn’t notice. I didn’t get rid of the stain completely but managed to lighten it a bit? Then I sat down and make sure to pull my (thankfully very long) coat down.

I knew the stain would be noticed eventually but I guess was hoping the dad would assume it was from the children and perhaps wouldn’t realise it was from me, though probably wishful thinking. They then dropped me off at home and I could see him watching the seat as I got up so he must’ve noticed me trying to clean it.

I am working with them all week, I am absolutely mortified and don’t know what to do. I feel sick. Just need some moral support.

OP posts:
Mcvitieschoccybiscuit · 26/03/2024 17:33

It won’t stain. My DD did exactly the same thing in my DHs on my brand new cream leather seats the other day. She was mortified because her friends were in the car too so didn’t tell him until after school (so it was there a while too). It came straight off with a quick wipe with a magic eraser sponge. The leather will have a stain guard on it. Try not to panic if he’s a decent man he’ll probably have sorted it and never mention it again.

CaterhamReconstituted · 26/03/2024 17:32

pootlin · 26/03/2024 16:33

I’m gutted for the man’s brand new Tesla tbh.

I always wear a pair of period knickers as well as sanpro as double protection, have never leaked.

I think you were pretty lax tbh, unless you have heavy periods.

You must be the only woman in history who has never had an accident

TM1979 · 26/03/2024 17:27

Look, it’s leather so it should come off fine. That suede type stuff would be worse. I completely get why you’re mortified but with a wife & kids he’s probably seen worse!
How is your relationship with the wife btw? You could tell her and she’ll sort it?

ThePoshUns · 26/03/2024 17:25

Could you text the wife and tell her that you were too embarrassed to say and offer to pay if it needs cleaning?

JillyTheJinx · 26/03/2024 17:15

TheMostly · 26/03/2024 16:30

I would’ve just died laughing at the horror of my life. Were the seats leather?

Brilliant😂😂😂

WinedropsOnMoses · 26/03/2024 17:04

Agree with PP that with a SN child,he will most likely have seen much worse - it's not like you turned up to work after a heavy night out and puked or had a stomach bug and followed through.

It was a small accident, one that happens to lots of women.

Completely understand why you are embarrassed though - even after 2 children,I'm not a sharing type that can laugh it off or share period stories.

All will be fine!I'm sure they'll just continue to be grateful for your much-needed help and support.

(Maybe a sneaky anti-bac wipe in your handbag if it's still there 2moro...)

currentstateofthings · 26/03/2024 17:04

He has a child with special needs. You getting a small stain is probably not as dramatic to him as it is to you he already has a lot to occupy his mind.

Saying that if you're that worried and want to own up can you message the mum and explain? Offer to pay. It's likely she will say don't worry about it and it will be sorted by now

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 17:00

Oh it’ll clean up easily, one wet wipe. Just the whole thing is making me cringe. I was awkward and flustered getting out of the car when I got dropped off and forgot to say bye to the kids. It’s just the whole situation is cringey.

OP posts:
Wittyapple · 26/03/2024 17:00

I've been here, it's embarassing but it happens to everyone and they've definitely seen worse!

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:57

Probably he did notice and will wipe it up at the first opportunity, maybe mention it to his wife over dinner who will (hopefully) say something like “Bless her, she must’ve been mortified, just don’t mention it” and that will be the end of it. I think that’s the best I can hope for.

OP posts:
IsotonicHedgehog · 26/03/2024 16:56

The Tesla upholstery is just about indestructible - even the white - and it will
wipe clean.

can’t help you with the sense of embarrassment but it won’t need professionally cleaned and won’t stain.

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 26/03/2024 16:56

He has a disabled child, he's dealt with worse TRUST ME.

Forget about it, you'll be able to laugh about it one day.

Mummame2222 · 26/03/2024 16:55

pootlin · 26/03/2024 16:33

I’m gutted for the man’s brand new Tesla tbh.

I always wear a pair of period knickers as well as sanpro as double protection, have never leaked.

I think you were pretty lax tbh, unless you have heavy periods.

Are you for real?

Itiswhysofew · 26/03/2024 16:52

White seats, bad idea. It's his fault😆

Don't worry. We've all experienced a leak or several. He won't mind. As previous poster said, he's got a wife. Mention it to her, if you want to unburden yourselfBrew

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:51

Just feel like it was the worst possible set of circumstances. It happened once years ago at work in a retail job, but that was fine because I just covered it up until the manager went into the back then quickly cleaned it whilst she was gone, no harm done and black pants too. Didn’t think anything of it. Whereas this is just awful

OP posts:
pootlin · 26/03/2024 16:51

CroccyWoccy · 26/03/2024 16:40

Well bravo to you. 🙄

I double up and have leaked numerous times. Even when my flow isn’t very heavy I can have sudden gush that comes out faster than gets absorbed. Sometimes pants or pad aren’t sitting in quite the right place to absorb everything. It happens. If you’ve never leaked consider yourself lucky.

I have leaked where I know I'm ok to be leaked, in my own home.

But if I'm going to work, or travelling, or in someone's space, then no, I haven't leaked because I take extra precautions.

ColleenDonaghy · 26/03/2024 16:47

Would you text the mum and explain what happened, say you panicked and felt uncomfortable with there being no other women there.

Most women have experienced a leak (although it would be wise not to share stories on here).

Canyoudigityesyoucan · 26/03/2024 16:46

also; someone told me once the enzymes in your spit get blood stains out in a pinch.

I remember leaking once in light denim jeans and being stood on the ladies cubicle in my knickers desperately trying to spit on the stain and rub it with loo roll to get it out.

grim but most of us have been there!

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:44

This reply has been deleted

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I can understand why your assumption is that I am a creep after stories but I promise, that is not the case. I am posting here as I am upset and just wanted a bit of moral support from a forum with a female user base.

It’s the Easter holidays, not unusual for one parent to be off with kids and other working, and yes, some Tesla’s have white seats.

I’m sure there were wet wipes somewhere, but there were none I could immediately grab without having to ask the father. Had I asked, I would’ve had to explain. In hindsight I should’ve done that but it all happened so quickly and I had to follow him with the child to assist in crossing the road.

OP posts:
Canyoudigityesyoucan · 26/03/2024 16:44

If it’s leather I don’t think it will have stained. The leather on Tesla car seats is not the soft butter leather of a jacket or handbag. It’s got a coating and is designed to be robust- water, coffee, mud etc shouldn’t mark it!

I think I would go armed tomorrow with some cloths or wipes, if you can be arsed go to a Halfords or Home Bargains and get some leather car seat wipes. I’d be too cringe to own up and try and clean it myself IF the stain is still there.

Darkdiamond · 26/03/2024 16:42

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:40

It wasn’t a huge stain and not bright red either, more of a brownish, tail end of period colour and by the time I had quickly wiped it it was more of a yellowish.

This could be anything. I think you could say 'I think I spilled something yesterday' and leave it vague like that. Absolutely no need to mention your tampon!!

MaryFuckingFerguson · 26/03/2024 16:42

I’d be concerned it’s stained.

could you text him and say ‘I’m so sorry I git blood on your seat and was too embarrassed to say. If it has stained, can I pay for it to be cleaned?’

MartinaMorningstar · 26/03/2024 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Darkdiamond · 26/03/2024 16:41

CroccyWoccy · 26/03/2024 16:40

Well bravo to you. 🙄

I double up and have leaked numerous times. Even when my flow isn’t very heavy I can have sudden gush that comes out faster than gets absorbed. Sometimes pants or pad aren’t sitting in quite the right place to absorb everything. It happens. If you’ve never leaked consider yourself lucky.

I agree. I had never leaked before until I leaked! Oh to be perfect.

GraceyBeaker · 26/03/2024 16:40

It wasn’t a huge stain and not bright red either, more of a brownish, tail end of period colour and by the time I had quickly wiped it it was more of a yellowish.

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