Internal Pelvic Release: Gentle, Informed Support for the Pelvis
by Libby Crow
The pelvis carries a lot.
It carries physical load. It adapts during pregnancy. It stabilises movement. It responds to stress. It protects when needed.
And sometimes, long after the original reason has passed, it continues to hold. The original reason might have been pain, fear, loss of control, or a moment where the body felt it had to brace.
And sometimes, long after that moment has passed, the guarding remains.
Internal pelvic release is a gentle, consent-led approach to supporting the soft tissues of the pelvis - muscles, fascia and connective tissue - to soften patterns of tension that may no longer be serving you.
It is not forceful.
It is not about pushing through pain.
It is not about fixing something that is broken.
It is about working with your body carefully and respectfully, at a pace that feels manageable.
Why Someone Might Choose Internal Pelvic Release
People arrive for this work in different ways.
Some come with clear symptoms. Others describe a more subtle feeling - that something in their pelvis feels tight, guarded, uncomfortable or disconnected.
You might consider internal pelvic release if you are experiencing:
preparing for upcoming labour and birth, to encourage relaxation and space in the soft pelvis
healing after childbirth
seeking insight into why a vaginal birth was difficult or not possible
experiencing pelvic pain, painful or absent sex, painful periods, and deep hip pain
managing pelvic floor concerns such a prolapse, incontinence or an over active pelvic floor
curiosity about pelvic health and deepening body awareness
Internal pelvic release supports the body to gradually soften those patterns - without forcing change.
For some people, the shift is physical. For others, it’s a sense of relief or reconnection. Often, it’s both.
What a Session Feels Like
We begin by talking.
You don’t need to arrive with perfect language. We take time to understand what has brought you here and what feels appropriate.
External bodywork, grounding and breath are part of every session. Internal work - if chosen - is gentle and slow. It usually involves light contact along the posterior vaginal wall, working with tissue responsiveness and nervous system settling.
There is no “pushing through.”
No fixed protocol.
No expectation of performance.
Consent is ongoing. You can pause, modify or stop at any time.
Closing the session is just as important as the work itself. We’ll take time to gently unpack what your body revealed, exploring how those findings may connect to your story or current experience. I’ll offer personalised exercises to support integration, and you’ll have space to notice and share what shifted physically, emotionally, or energetically - before stepping back into your day. Sometimes one session is enough. Sometimes people choose to return. There is no prescribed pathway.
Internal Pelvic Release During Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes the pelvis continuously. Hormones, posture and increasing load all influence how tissues respond.
Some people feel well supported in their bodies. Others notice growing tension, heaviness or discomfort as the body adapts to pregnancy and the pelvis gradually prepares for birth.
Internal pelvic release during pregnancy is always considered carefully and only offered when appropriate and wanted. The approach is gentle, respectful and guided by your comfort at every stage.
There is no ideal gestation to begin. Many people attend from the second trimester onwards, but timing is always individual and guided by how you are feeling and what support your body may need.
When Internal Work Is Postponed
Internal work will not proceed if there is:
Unexpected or unexplained bleeding
Active infection
Acute, unassessed pelvic pain
Early postpartum tissue healing still underway
If internal work is not appropriate, external bodywork, pelvic balancing, or grounding can still be supportive.
Safety is always prioritised.
The Broader Work I Offer
Internal pelvic release sits within a wider body of work. I also offer:
Pregnancy Bodywork
Supporting alignment, load distribution and nervous system regulation throughout pregnancy.
External Pelvic Alignment & Balancing
Hands-on work focused on posture, pelvic balance and fascial support, without internal touch.
Birth Debriefing & Listening
A contained, trauma-aware space to speak about birth or perinatal experiences — whether recent or many years ago.
All services are offered to pregnant and non-pregnant people.
What Led Me to This Work
My background is in midwifery, and I have been a registered midwife for over 10yrs.
I worked in midwifery group practice, supporting families across pregnancy, birth and postpartum aswell as being a Clinical Midwifery Educator supporting students, graduates and early career midwives achieve and hone their practical midwifery skills. I am also the mother of three children, all born at home.
Those experiences shaped how I understand safety, pacing and what it means to feel well held.
Alongside midwifery, I have a background in personal training and movement-based work deepening my understanding of posture, fascia, strength and load - particularly through the pelvis.
In my current role within the public hospital system, I work with women experiencing complex trauma and birth trauma. I regularly see how birth experiences can remain present in the body - physically and emotionally - long after the event itself.
Internal pelvic release became a way to bring these threads together:
clinical understanding, movement awareness, trauma- aware care, and respect for autonomy.
It allows pelvic support to be careful, informed and human.
An Invitation
If you are unsure whether internal pelvic release is right for you, you are welcome to reach out for an obligation-free conversation.
“You don’t need to have the right words. Your body already knows where to begin”.
Appointments are currently offered on Mondays at MAMA Services, Kensington, and bookings can be made directly on our Internal Pelvic Release Work allied health page.
If available times do not suit, you’re welcome to contact me via email at hello@holdingspacewithlibby.com or visit my Instagram at @holdingspacewithlibby.