BACKGROUND: Fetal heart rate abnormalities are used to forecast fetal compromisation or fetal distress which results in fetal acidemia due to poor fetal oxygenation. Globally, approximately one-quarter of all newborn deaths are caused by birth asphyxia; survivors can suffer permanent brain damage and irreversible damage of other organs. Non reassuring fetal heart rate is one of the common indications for caesarean and operative vaginal deliveries. There is paucity of researches done in the country in general and no research done in the study area in particular. OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion and factors associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities among mothers who gave birth at tertiary hospitals of Bahir Dar, North-west Ethiopia, January to June 2022. METHODS: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 598 mothers who gave birth from January to June 2022 in two tertiary hospitals at Bahir Dar. Study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling method. Data was collected using interviewer administered pretested semistructured questionnaire. Data was entered, cleaned and coded using Epi data version 3.1 and transported to SPSS version 23.00 statistical software for analysis. Results were presented using descriptive statistics by using texts, frequency tables and graphs. Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities. Model fitness assessed using Hosmer and Lemeshow Test. RESULTS: The proportion of fetal heart rate abnormalities was 19.4% (95% CI= 16.22- 22.58%). Primiparous [AOR=1.950 (95% CI 1.085, 3.506]), meconium stained amniotic fluid [AOR=6.412 (95% CI 3.787, 10.855)], induced labor [AOR=3.513 (95% CI 2.023, 6.099)] and augmented labor [AOR=5.677 (95% CI 2.498, 12.901)] were significantly associated with fetal heart rate abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The overall proportion of fetal heart rate abnormalities was higher. Primiparous, meconium stained amniotic fluid, induced and augmented labor had significant statistical association with fetal heart rate abnormalities. Close intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring is crucial during followup of mothers having these factors. Key words: Fetal heart rate, tertiary hospitals, Bahir Dar, Felege Hiwot Hospital, Tibebe Ghion Hospital, Ethiopia