<P> As a spouse, surgeon, and mother, Meredith has cited a number times that she did not want to be like either of her parents: her father had followed her mother around pathetically before leaving to be happy, while her mother valued her career over her family . Meredith is frequently conflicted trying to balance between the two, and fears her family are hindering her medical aspirations, as much as she fears becoming like her mother whenever she's tempted to choose surgery over family . Meredith and Cristina have a huge rift when Cristina confirms Meredith's fears by stating that Meredith's skills have fallen behind Cristina's due to her familial obligations taking her away from OR time . </P> <P> Meredith and Derek come to an agreement that he, already established in his career and reputation, would take a step back to take care of the children and allow her to shine . Meredith attempts to regain some ground by starting a promising research trial 3 - D printing portal veins . The conflict between Cristina and Meredith widens when Cristina commandeers Meredith's resources for her own trial, ultimately garnering a Harper Avery nomination for Cristina . Cristina and Meredith repair their relationship when Meredith confesses that Cristina was correct, her skills have surpassed Meredith's . Cristina moves to Switzerland take up a job offer from Dr. Preston Burke, her former attending, mentor and fiancé, who was looking for a replacement at a research hospital he was running, thus leaving Alex in charge of being Meredith's "person" in her place, an honor he gladly accepts . </P> <P> Meredith and Derek's marriage becomes strained when Derek goes against his promise and accepts an offer from the U.S. President to participate in the Brain Mapping Initiative, which consumes his time and eclipses Meredith, who is feeling increasingly left behind and mommy - tracked . He receives an offer to head the project itself in Washington D.C., meaning that he would have to be based there permanently . Meredith puts her foot down as she does not want to uproot their young family to move across the country for his career at the sacrifice of her own . They begin a series of on - and - off arguments and "cold wars" over their careers . Derek accepts the job in the heat of the moment and promptly leaves for Washington . During a phone call with Meredith, they agree to work things out after she tells him that she did not want them to become "one of those couples" and he reciprocates, saying that he missed her . She privately admits to Alex that she has realized that she could live independently of Derek, but chooses not to . </P> <P> Meredith finds out she has a maternal half sister named Maggie Pierce who is now working in Grey Sloan Memorial . Meredith is in denial and rejects Maggie, thinking she would have remembered if her mother was pregnant until she finds a hospital document confirming the revelation . Meredith tries to piece together her relationship with her mother and half sister by going through old videos of her mother . She eventually recovers her repressed memories of the pregnancy when she views her mother's diary and has a change of heart, choosing to accept Maggie and begin building a relationship . </P>

When does meredith find out she's pregnant the first time