By Lindsay Tice,Staff Writer

POLAND – When Rachel Wildrick needed advice during her pregnancy with twins, she didn’t have to scour the Internet or trek to a support group.

The school psychologist only had to go to work.

There she could talk expanding bellies with the sixth-grade teacher. And the third-grade teacher. And the speech therapist.

All four had twins within eight months.

All four worked for School Union 29.

“People have said, What’s in the water?'” joked Jayne Bilodeau, a speech therapist at Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls and the mother of 7-month-old Audrey and Emily.

Because some of the mothers worked for different schools in Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls, not everyone knew each other.

The twins met for the first time this week, turning Wildrick’s living room into a sea of fuzzy heads and chubby cheeks.

The eight babies range in age from 7 months to 15 months old. While they explored the room filled with toys and twins, their mothers compared twin stories.

“The cutest thing is when they’re holding hands,” said Bilodeau.

“Mine too!” said Wildrick of 11-month-old Grace and Lucas. “They’re always holding hands.”

The mothers advised each other on toys (love the Jumparoo), sleeping through the night (try separating them) and first steps.

“Some days they walk, some days they don’t,” said Bonnie Robbins, as 15-month-old Trevor held onto her leg and brother Tyler sat on the floor.

The mothers realized they often get the same question from strangers.

“Everyone, everyone asks, Are they twins?'” said Tiffany Miller.

None are identical, although Miller’s 15-month-olds, Evelynn and Arianna, are very close.

People also ask whether the women took fertility drugs. One did. Another went through in vitro fertilization. Two others had the twins naturally.

A couple of the women had gone to an Auburn support group for parents of twins, but that group dissolved. This new group – Union 29 twins – might take its place.

With two infants each, they have a hard time getting together.

Only Wildrick, the school psychologist, and Miller, a speech therapist, still work for the school system. Teachers Bilodeau and Robbins left after they had their children.

They joke about the coincidence: four sets of twins, all from the same school system, all within eight months.

At least they figure it’s a coincidence.

“Don’t drink the Poland water,” said Robbins.