Did Kerry Washington's pregnancy play a part in ABC's decision to reduce series order of hit drama Scandal?

ABC will be slightly less Scandal-ous next season as the network reduced its order for the Kerry Washington series from 22 to 18 episodes.
Although the network has not given a reason for the cutback, many speculate that Washington's real-life pregnancy had an impact on the decision.
The 36-year-old star announced in October that she and husband NFL star Nnamdi Asomugha are expecting their first child.

A little less Scandal this year: The Kerry Washington hit drama has been reduced from 22 episode to 18

In the show, Washington plays Olivia Pope, a political 'fixer' and former White House Director Of Communications, who heads the firm Pope & Associates.
If writers do not plan on writing her pregnancy into the storyline, hiding her delicate condition might prove an obstacle best avoided by scribes and producers of the show.
Since its debut on April 5, 2012, the Shonda Rhimes-created drama has been steadily growing in viewers, winning its timeslot on an almost regular basis. 
In 2013, Washington nabbed an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of bureaucratic beauty Pope.

High praise: In 2013, Washington nabbed an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of bureaucratic beauty Pope

On October 3, the show hit a series high with its season three premiere, garnering 10.5 million viewers.
Last Thursday's episode, titled YOLO, scored 8.6 million viewers (3.1 in the demographic).
Scandal's mid-season finale will air next Thursday, with new episodes to follow on February 27.

Scandal's mid-season finale will air on Thursday with new episodes to follow on Feb. 27