Table 1 Narratives for analysis

Before pregnancy: perceived emotions, including lonely and indifference to parents

 a) My mother tried hard to provide us with everything we needed. I never even saw her… but I would have preferred that she was close to me. (Eréndira, 16 years old, youngest child)

 b) Because I feel that, my mother was not me when I needed her, I wanted her to talk to me about my things, but she preferred to be with her boyfriend… (Josefina, 16 years old, oldest daughter)

 c) My mom always had preferred my younger sister… she used to say that “she [the younger sister] really studies, not like you…” With my younger sister she is very tolerant… she gives her everything. (Vanesa, 18 years old, middle child)

 d) Well, I think that the relation with them [her parents] has always been relegated to convenience, not based on feelings. Their words are: “Behave yourself and I won’t bother you.” They always left me with my grandfather, the father of my father. (Tonantzin, 16 years old, only child)

 e) He [her boyfriend] told me to use a condom, and I answered: “No, it’s not the same… and we want to have a family. (Lizeth, 17 years old, only child)

 f) When they begin to always ask permission to leave the house, you have to be very careful… It had already been several months that Lucero asked for permission, and very frequently, to go somewhere with her girlfriends… she was always angry and cried about everything. (Regina, 50 years old, mother of Lucero)

During pregnancy: family reactions to the event, including anger, joy? and uncertainty

 g) When I left home, my brother got very mad at me for leaving without finishing school. When I got pregnant, it was seen as normal since I was already living with my boyfriend. (Marcy, 16 years old, cohabiting)

 h) She asked me if I felt like having a baby and in fact from the time I was 13… 14 years old I wanted to have a child… I could not wait to be a father. (Juan, 18 years old, boyfriend of Karen, single)

 i) With him [her boyfriend], what can she expect? He does not even have enough to buy food. She will stay with us! I will support her. (Juan, 38 years old, father of Jazmin)

 j) At first, my parents got angry, but then it happened and they helped me in everything I needed. (Daniela, 16 years old, single)

 k) …And he [her brother] told me: you are already a mother and nobody is here to support you… If you get pregnant again, you will not leave the house, not even to go to school. (Lucero, 15 years old, single)

After childbirth: the reality of uncertainty, limited income and unfinished schooling

 l) My daughter is not used to doing without, and he [her boyfriend], what can he offer her? He can barely provide for himself… he does not have a steady job. (Hugo, 41 years old, father of Chela)

 m) He [her boyfriend] went to work, painting a garage door, cutting grass… He did not finish school. He could not handle it. He was in school, had homework, and had to work... he did not have enough time. (Nancy, 18 years old, cohabiting)

 n) I already feel somebody in my family; because now with my mother I talk more about the care of the children. (Maria, 16 years old, cohabiting)

 o) I do the house cleaning and make dinner while my mom is at work, and after returning she helps me take care of my girl, and I go to junior high. (Karina, 13 years old, single)

 p) He [her boyfriend] was very different. He always was waiting for me with roses or some gift… I felt very secure… he does not do that anymore. (Gina, 16 years old, cohabiting)

 q) I felt lonely before getting pregnant… my parents did not even realize what was happening with me. Now that I live with Rubén [her husband], I am feeling the same thing… he is almost never with me and I prefer it that way… he is almost always angry. Only the presence of my child consoles me… for him I put up with everything. (Sayra, 15 years old, married)

 r) My son is the best thing that could have happened to me, I love him very much and he is my consolation, because sometimes I feel lonely. (Rosario, 16 years old, single)

 s) Being mother brought me satisfaction whit my daughter, but I regret not having finished school or living longer as a single, I lacked more fun. (Pilar, 16 years old, cohabiting)