Although the symptoms are similar, mommy wrist is not exactly the same as carpal tunnel. Mommy wrist is caused by the overuse of the tendons in the area of the thumb, thanks to repetitive (and out-of-the-norm) thumb and wrist motions. Mommy wrist typically causes pain and discomfort. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the nerve that travels from the forearm into the hand and can feel like numbness and weakness.