MAFS: Martha Kalifatidis reveals the awful effects of her pregnancy sickness

Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis has spoken of her awful pregnancy sickness.

She and fiancé Michael Brunelli announced on Monday they were expecting their first child together, and revealed the reason why she had been absent from social media for months.

Martha, 34, has been suffering from a severe case of hyperemesis gravidarum, which left her so sick she could not leave her bed for months.

She detailed the shocking experience on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday. 

The influencer explained she’d started growing hair on her body where it wasn’t there before as a result of losing so much weight.

‘I think due to like losing so much weight so drastically, and just being so malnourished, I’ve literally grown this layer of fur over all of my body. It’s disgusting,’ she told hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.

‘It’s so weird because, like, I’ve obviously had my whole body lasered and I hadn’t had any hair on my body for years and all of a sudden I’m like a marsupial.’ 

The radio hosts were shocked, asking if that side effect was ‘normal’ with the particular sickness she’s been battling.

‘That and just, like, hormones, as well,’ Martha replied. ‘But I’m covered [with hair]. It’s so gross.’

Michael, 31, later joined the discussion, admitting it had been ‘tough’ watch Martha ‘in pain for so many months’. 

In their announcement on Monday, the pair explained the reason for Martha’s absence from social media was because she was so sick with hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes persistent and excessive nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

The reality star disappeared offline for several weeks, leading to concerns for her well-being. 

The couple explained they had to wait until Martha was feeling better and had reached a safe point in her pregnancy before sharing their news.

‘We wanted to explain our situation and make a little bit of an announcement. Martha is pregnant,’ Michael said in the video.

‘It hasn’t been this exciting, wonderful time for us. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining,’ Martha added. 

‘We are so excited, we are so happy, it was a compete surprise. But at five weeks I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum,’ she continued. 

‘Which is severe chronic nausea and vomiting with no relief. It is 24-7. I literally didn’t get out of bed for two months.

‘I was so sick. I could not eat or drink anything. There were days I didn’t even get up to pee. I lost ten kilos in five weeks. 

‘We have been in and out of the emergency room and hospital’.

Martha then said she was feeling better thanks to a doctor she visited in Melbourne.   

‘She has given me some medication which has literally been life-changing. It is helping me feel human again,’ she said. 

Michael then added: ‘It was too early to share as well. We had to disappear offline and give a few excuses.’ 

He concluded by thanking the couple’s fans for their support and concern over the past few months as Martha battled with illness. 

Up to one in 30 pregnant women suffer from the Hyperemesis Gravidarum each year.

The pair had claimed she was left bedridden for weeks after catching a viral infection in Europe. 

The couple recently returned to Australia after Martha’s illness forced them to cut their trip short. 

Last month, Michael revealed his partner had been suffering from a viral infection and Martha broke her silence shortly after. 

‘Hi, everyone. I know I’ve been quiet on here. I’ve been bedridden for a few weeks, but I’m finally home and getting the care I need,’ Martha wrote on Instagram at the time. 

She continued: ‘I’ll be back soon. Thanks for all the messages. Sorry I haven’t got back to anyone. I really do appreciate the support though.’

Michael revealed his partner was unwell after fans noticed she had been uncharacteristically silent on Instagram.

He posted a photo on his Stories of himself holding the influencer’s hand as she lay in bed next to a half-eaten sandwich.

‘I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has reached out and messaged us asking about Martha,’ he wrote.

‘She’s been offline and unwell with a viral infection. It’s taken a toll on her energy levels, but she’s okay and on the mend.’

While they were overseas, the pair visited Italy, the UK, and Turkey. 

The influencers announced their engagement on their respective Instagram pages in December, with Martha proudly showing off her diamond engagement ring.

‘Mrs B,’ Martha and Michael captioned their posts, allowing the prized bling to take centre stage.

Their relationship has gone from strength to strength after they found love on Married At First Sight in 2019. 

In a recent unfiltered interview with Stellar, they admitted they weren’t each other’s type when they first met at the altar.

During the interview, Michael also professed his love for his girlfriend, adding: ‘She’s the person I go to whenever there’s a problem. I can trust her opinion with every decision I make. Things couldn’t be better.’ 

They are now influencers and film, edit and produce each other’s content. 

The couple earn their full-time income via sponsored fashion and makeup posts, fitness videos, cooking tutorials and other branded content, mostly all created from the comfort of their Sydney home. 

Martha told Daily Mail Australia last year that ‘never in her wildest dreams’ did she believe that creating sponsored posts at home would become her full-time job, and expressed her surprise at how financially viable it is.  

‘It is surprising. I worked as a makeup artist for so long and I knew that big brands turnover so much. And the number one thing that they all invest in is marketing,’ she said. 

Although Martha did not reveal the exact figure she charges for branded content, it’s estimated she makes anything up to $3,000 for a single sponsored selfie.