"Scandal" season 4 is likely to be renewed in May, but filming probably won't resume until a very pregnant Kerry Washington gives birth this spring so that she can resume Olivia Pope's role without the baby bump!

Season 3 was cut short from 22 episodes to 18 episodes, causing some "Scandal" fans to worry about the future of the ABC series. But producers reassured viewers that the shortened season 3 was due to Kerry Washington's pregnancy and very obvious baby bump, making it difficult to continue her role as Olivia Pope in the later episodes.

Fans tweeted to showrunner Shonda Rhimes asking whether or not "Scandal" will be renewed and they can begin looking forward to a season 4.

"Nobody should be worried. ABC has not done its pickups yet for next season. They always do them in like, early May...But um...clearly, you can assume good news," Rhimes wrote on Twitter.

ABC hasn't renewed any shows yet, while it has canceled six shows, The Epoch Times reports. Zap2It predicts that Scandal is "certain to be renewed" by May.

Christian Today reports that filming for "Scandal" season 4 will likely begin filming after Kerry Washington gives birth, which may be sooner than you think! TVLine's Michael Ausiello suggests that Kerry Washington's due date is this spring.

A very pregnant Kerry Washington also skipped out on the "Scandal" season 3 wrap party and instead opted to rest, suggesting she's nearing the end of her pregnancy.

"Super sad to have missed the#ScandalWrapParty & a night out with my #Scandal fam but very grateful to be getting some much needed rest! Xo," Kerry Washington wrote on Twitter on March 31.

Kerry and her husband and former NFL player, Nnamdi Asomugha, married in secret on June 24, 2013.