As above, tell your manager if possible because you are entitled to paid time off for appointments! They can’t make you make the time up either ☺️ Good luck x
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/maternity-and-parental-rights/check-your-maternity-and-parental-rights/rights-while-pregnant-or-on-maternity-leave/rights-while-youre-pregnant-at-work/#:~:text=You%20have%20a%20right%20to%20paid%20time%20off%20for%20antenatal,your%20hirer%2C%20not%20your%20agency.
If I was in a situation not wanting to share the news just yet I would come up with an alternative excuse. Property inspection, broken washing machine, installing new broadband at home... you know all kind of things you need to be present and usually have 1-2 hr slots.
I felt exactly the same as you when I was pregnant. I spoke to my midwife about it and she gave me a letter to hand to my boss. It was a medical letter, but didn’t have anything personal on it about baby. It basically said that I had an appointment at such a time on such a date etc. The header and footer was formal. Ask your midwife as the feeling I got from mine was that it’s quite a common thing. My midwife signed it too. Handed it in, no questions asked (employers have to be very careful with this anyway) and I was able to tell work on my terms when I felt comfortable and happy! Your body, your news, you definitely do as you wish xx
@Rebecca thank you so much. That’s it, I’m just not ready to mention anything yet as I know the dynamics will change. Didn’t want to feel forced into sharing my news (which I doubt will stay quiet) because of an appt I have next week.
Maybe say you’ve got a hospital appointment. Those can take ages.