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I told mine because of the amount of time needed for appointments and they were great to be fair. It's also worth checking policies of what you're entitled to as there should be a fertility treatment policy. Reading it also helped me flag up that it was very much worded for heterosexual couples which they appreciated the feedback. I'm not sure how I would've gone about it without telling them as I worked M-F 9-5 which meant appointments were always in work time and very frequent leading up to conception.
When I was going for my iuis I didn't say anything and just took annual leave buy I did find it more stressful as obviously the dates might change depending how you're getting on. When I started IVF, I did tell them and it felt less stressful as I needed to take a day off and hadn't booked it off and they totally understood
I think your work policies will probably say to tell your manager as early as possible tbf. It may well be that it's treated as medical appointments rather than you having to take specific time.
I have told my manager both times I did IUI because I would only know about needing time off for appointments the day before and so I felt it needed some explanation. Also the second time found my work now has a fertility leave policy which makes it easier. Both times boss was very understanding and supportive
I told them because I work in a school so no such thing as Annual leave and appointments during class time. But also there would be risk assessment issues once pregnant so I thought they might as well know. Interestingly IVf was paid time off, IUi wasn't, so she asked, which I felt was too personal, but also lead to discussion about the discrimination of it as most hetero couples would go straight to IVF, but lesbians have to do IUi a few times to get nhs funding. Then as it turned out I did IVF so got paid anyway.
I told mine primarily because I’m a nurse working in oncology so I can’t be around chemo drugs. I do shift work so it will be easier for me to schedule/switch shifts with people when I need to. I think a 9-5 would be trickier to get to appointments so you will want to tell them so they know why you’re taking time off. Otherwise they could just think you’re slacking. Hopefully they will be supportive!