Women undergoing operative intervention during birth, whether cesarean section or operative vaginal delivery, are particularly at high risk for developing peripartum infection. In 2019, in response to the availability of new evidence, the Executive Guideline Steering Group for the World Health Organization (WHO) maternal and perinatal health recommendations prioritized updating three WHO recommendations for women undergoing cesarean section (prophylactic antibiotics, vaginal cleansing before cesarean section, and preoperative skin preparation) and the existing WHO recommendation for women having an operative vaginal delivery.