As Barnaby Joyce's political future hangs in the balance, members of the junior Coalition partner's 21-strong party room are holding fast. Mostly.

But such is the depth of the crisis engulfing their leader and, by extension, their party, they are also beginning to ponder what had been unthinkable: life after "Barnaby".

A source within the Nationals said Joyce may yet arrive at the decision to resign if only on the grounds the controversy is placing undue pressure on Campion whose pregnancy is now entering its latter stage.

Nationals MPs are considering what to do if Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce resigns. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

While Joyce is still determined to stare down growing criticism of his personal circumstances, declaring "I'll emerge from it", distressed Nationals are becoming increasingly conscious of the damage to their socially conservative, family values brand.