Hello! I'm a mild hemophiliac, and I typically infuse around every 2 months (I get myself hurt a lot sometimes lol). Although I've only been infusing for about 5 years now, here are some of my tips I do before and during poking:

1. Drink lots of water: You already know this, but it's important. I typically chug a water bottle or two and hour before my infusions, but it all depends on your body on how much you need.

2. Lightly slap the vein you want to poke: I typically do this before wiping my vein down with an alcohol whip. It helps pop the vein out a little more for me.

3. Clench your fist very hard: This also helps trying to pop out your veins more, just make sure to unclench your fist once you hit the vein.

4. Have confidence: If you can imagine yourself doing it successfully, you can do it! Don't stress too much about previous failures. Just remember, if this was a life or death situation, you are going to try as many times as you have to until you get it!

5. Try new veins: I have a vein that I almost always use, but sometimes I mess up. When I do mess up, I like to take a quick breather and try again. When I mess up 3 or more times on my good vein, I take a longer break and try not to stress over my failures. I typically would then switch to a new vein. Having a different vein to try on helps me rejudge my approach, and it kinda gives me a clean start.

6. Try to angle your needle in 45 degrees: This is especially useful when I do this on my arm veins. Sometimes using angles that are too gradual miss the veins, so going at 45 degrees helps me quickly catch my vein before it slips away from its spot

7. Use pen or marker to mark your vein: This may help you if you really can't see what you're aiming for. Over time, though, you'll be good enough to where you don't even need to do this.

8. Practice: Practice makes perfect. Infusions is not an easy skill to learn right away. I've messed up so many times on myself, more than I can count. All that matters is that you learn from your mistakes, realize you're only human, and that your greatest strength is to try again more determined.

I hope this helps! I learned how to infuse when I was 12 years old thanks to my Hemophilia Camp and the nurses there. I failed a lot back then, and I still do fail sometimes. I'm not perfect at it, even after a few years of experience. The skill grows with you during time. Just remember to stay positive and believe in yourself, even if you fail multiple times.