NORTH Melbourne defender Jamie Macmillan is set to leave the Queensland hub as he prepares to return home for the impending birth of his first child. 

"I will be going home for the birth, whenever that is," Macmillan told nmfc.com.au.

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"It looks like it will be sometime next week, so I'm trying to get in as many games as I can.

"It's a situation that we're managing day by day. She's (wife Olivia) been awesome for me, encouraging me to stay as long as I can."

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It's just another challenge thrown up in 2020, with the couple initially expecting the birth to fall after the regular season.

"We found out in December, and like most footballers, we looked up the fixture to see where it lands, and at the time it fell in the pre-finals bye which was perfect," Macmillan said. 

"Now it falls around round 13. So it looks like after the Melbourne game (I'll leave). That's the plan for now."

 Macmillan praised the support of coach Rhyce Shaw in a difficult circumstance. 

"Shawry's had a number of conversations with me," he said. "He's spoken about his experiences with his kids, and said that it's not something you want to miss. 

"[But] to feel like you're sort of deserting the guys is a challenge.

"At the end of the day it's my first kid and I want to be there. Everyone says it's one of the best moments of your life, and I don't want to miss that."