Problem:  Despite enthusiasm and endorsement of decreased maternal-infant separation after birth, there appears to be a lack of conceptual clarity surrounding the concept of early maternal-infant separation (EMIS) from a nursing perspective in both the term and preterm birth.  If separation is indeed a significant influential factor in maternal-infant attachment then its scope and role must be validated through additional research. The concept of EMIS needs development that will provide greater utility for research application.
Purpose: The purpose of this concept analysis is to provide conceptual clarity to the concept of  EMIS.
Method:  A review of the literature was conducted across disciplines in the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PsychArticles, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review and identified 234 works. No time limits were applied. The search was then delimited using inclusion and exclusion criteria for a final selection of 86 works in the disciplines of nursing (35), medicine (26), psychology (20), and others (5).Using the evolutionary view of concept analysis, contextual features and themes were then identified.
Findings: The findings identified the following contextual features of EMIS: contextual use over time, antecedents, attributes, consequences, operational, treatment/interventions, and related terms. The identified antecedents included: birth and preparation for separation.  Disequilibrium, distancing, and complexity were identified as the essential attributes of EMIS. The identified consequences of EMIS include positive and negative; maternal, fetal and/or family-focused; potential and actual; short term, long term and transient. Consequences can also be physiological, developmental, psychosocial, developmental, emotional, and attachment-related. EMIS is a complex process that has typically been recognized as having the potential for pathological or negative consequences but from the physiological perspective can be viewed as a natural, benign consequence of birth. The review also identified operational progress of EMIS (Index of Mother-Infant Separation Instrument and First Contact Index), and related terms (attachment/bonding, proximity, contact, and mother-infant togetherness).
Discussion: The evolutionary view of concept analysis was useful to provide conceptual clarity of EMIS. The analysis identified gaps in the literature and provides direction for further nursing inquiry, particularly operational work and concept delineation with related terms.